Player Profile

PRO: Jamal Brooks will be returning to the playing field this fall after suffering a fractured fibula in preseason action last year that sidelined him for the entire 2002 season. He originally signed with Dallas as a free agent in 2001 following a spring in NFL Europe. His strong work ethic and ability to make plays stuck with him as he made the squad out of training camp. He went on to play a big role on the Cowboys special teams in 2001. Following injuries to the linebacking corps, Brooks was able to showcase his talent and versatility at all three linebacker positions during the season. This versatility will work in his favor as he battles for a spot on the linebacker depth chart.

2002: Brooks' second season with Dallas never got underway after fracturing his fibula in a preseason game at Jacksonville (8/29). He was placed on injured reserve Sept. 1 and underwent surgery Sept. 3.

2001: Brooks finished second on the Scottish Claymores with 42 tackles, three passes defensed and 1.5 sacks after being drafted in the third round (14th overall) of the NFLE Free Agent Draft. Dallas signed Brooks as a free agent on July 10, and he saw considerable time on special teams during the season, finishing second on the squad with 20 tackles. At Philadelphia (9/30), he led the team with three special teams stops before finishing second on the team with two special teams stops and a forced fumble at Oakland (10/7). He then tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles against Washington (10/15) and at the N.Y. Giants (11/4) and then led the team with three special teams stops at Atlanta (11/11). He also stepped in for middle linebacker Dat Nguyen in the fourth quarter against the Falcons and recorded four tackles, including one on a goal-line stand. He earned his first NFL start the following week against Philadelphia (11/18), replacing Dexter Coakley (sprained knee) on the weakside, and finished with nine tackles while helping limit the Eagles running game to a 2.8 yards-per-carry average. Against Denver (11/22), he returned to special teams duty and tied for the team lead with two special teams stops. Brooks took over for Markus Steele on the strongside at Washington (12/2) and recorded three tackles. Brooks saw considerable action at strong side linebacker at Detroit (1/6/02) and finished with three tackles.

2000: Brooks signed with the New Orleans Saints as a rookie free agent on April 18 but was released before the season began. He spent the fall out of football.

COLLEGE: A two-year captain at Hampton, Brooks closed his collegiate career second on the team with 75 tackles, 12 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 2.5 sacks and an interception as a senior. During his junior campaign, he finished with 26 tackles, four for losses, and two fumble recoveries. Brooks finished his sophomore season with 46 tackles and one forced fumble. After transferring from Pasadena City College, Brooks recorded 35 stops and one sack in his first year at Hampton

PERSONAL: Brooks was a standout performer for the Grenada Hills, Calif., High School football team. In 2001, Brooks joined the entire Cowboy linebacking corps to "Blitz Hunger" and distribute over 500 hams to those in need at The Salvation Army as part of the Hormel Hams for The Holidays program. He also contributes annually to The Salvation Army Angel Tree program and while on injured reserve in 2002 attended a holiday gathering for over 200 terminally ill and mentally challenged children hosted by Pappas Brothers Steakhouse in Dallas. He received his degree in business management from Hampton and is now pursuing his M.B.A. at the University of Texas at Dallas.