2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists: A look at potential inductees

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December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers former player Derrick Brooks is introduced during the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Super Bowl champions during halftimduring the second half at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker … 6-0, 232 … Florida State … 1995-2008 Tampa Bay Buccaneers … 14 seasons, 224 games … Selected by Buccaneers in 1st round (28th player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft … Never missed game during 14-season career … Started all but three games rookie season … Never missed a start for remainder of career … Earned All-Rookie honors after finishing second on team with 80 tackles …

In 1997, led Bucs to first postseason appearance since 1981 … Topped team with 182 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 10 passes defensed, earned first of 11 Pro Bowl selections … With Brooks, Bucs led NFL in total defense twice (2002 and 2005) and topped NFC five times (1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007) during his career …

Named NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, 2002 when he again led Tampa Bay with 173 tackles, career-high five interceptions (three returned for TDs), 15 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one sack … Was a major contributor in the Bucs’ victory in Super Bowl XXXVII where he had three tackles, one pass defensed, one interception returned 44 yards for a TD against the Oakland Raiders … Six-time All-Pro choice, named All-NFC eight times … Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born April 18, 1973 in Pensacola, Florida.

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