Keith Brooking
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Career Summary
Keith Brooking was an NFL linebacker who played 15 seasons for Atlanta, Dallas, and Denver.
NFL.com records 225 regular-season games, 1,240 tackles, 22 sacks, 62 passes defensed, and 13 interceptions.
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College Career
Brooking played linebacker at Georgia Tech from 1994 through 1997 and finished as its career tackles leader.
The Falcons identify Brooking as Georgia Tech's all-time leading tackler. A Falcons coaching biography lists his career total at 467 tackles.
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Path to the NFL
Atlanta selected Brooking with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft.
The Falcons' Dave Huxtable biography identifies Brooking as the 12th overall selection in the 1998 first round.
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NFL Career
Brooking spent 11 seasons with Atlanta before playing three seasons with Dallas and one with Denver.
NFL.com lists his 1998-2012 career, including 161 games for the Falcons. The official Atlanta media guide lists him among the franchise's leaders in games played and started.
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Career Accomplishments
Brooking made five straight Pro Bowls and was twice named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
The Falcons report that his Pro Bowl run spanned 2001 through 2005. The Broncos' game release says those five straight selections tied a Falcons franchise record at the time.
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Playing Style
Brooking was a durable, tackle-focused linebacker with coverage and turnover production.
NFL.com lists 902 solo tackles, 13 interceptions, and nine forced fumbles. Atlanta reports that he led all NFL defenders with 126 solo tackles in 2003.
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Legacy
Brooking remains one of the most productive linebackers in Falcons history.
Atlanta's media guide lists him with 161 games played and 145 starts for the franchise, and notes a 130-game consecutive-games-played streak from 2001 through 2008.
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Post-Career
Brooking has continued to appear in Falcons-related events after his playing career.
The Falcons announced that Brooking would announce one of the club's selections during the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Sources for this section
17802, 00-0001820, 1975-10-30, Keith Brooking, Howard, Brooking
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