| Q&A: Brandon Brooks, Miami (Ohio) | ||||
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Getting to know Miami's Brandon Brooks: Brooks is a junior offensive lineman for the Miami RedHawks. Brooks was named Miami's2008 Freshman of the Year as he started all 12 games at left guard. Last season, Brooks started all 12 contests for the RedHawks at the left tackle position, earning second team All-Mid American Conference honors. Brooks is a native of Milwaukee, Wisc., and is majoring in economics. How did you get started playing football? I got started playing football watching my older cousins play for the South Holland Jets, a neighborhood team. In the fourth grade, I was able to play and from there the game just grew on me and I've been playing ever since. If I had to make one up, I guess it would be "Mr. Gifted." It embodies everything as far as what I'm capable of doing in terms of running, catching, blocking, and it also indicates how blessed I am. My first game ever for the South Holland Jets, I was in the fourth grade and in the first half I had seven quarterback sacks, three were on running plays. I was nine years old and they pretty much gold me to go get the quarterback. Actually, Tracy Wilson [NIU safety] was a wide receiver on that team. I love old school music. Stevie Wonder is my favorite artist along with Anita Baker. But no, that's not what we put on in the locker room. I haven't been on very many vacations, but one place I would like to go is Venice, Italy. It is a city built on water and I'd like to see how it was built, learn about it and ride in one of those boats (gondolas). My favorite actor is Denzel Washington, he'd be the guy. My first job was delivering newspapers for $25 a month and I think after a year or so I got a raise to $30. But it was only one day a week, for a local paper in my neighborhood. I was 10 years old and the route was very, very long. My non-sports hero would have to be my father. He has groomed me to be in the place I am right now. He gave me all the tools to be successful and is still doing that today. He and I haven't always agreed on things, but in the end, I know what he tells me is right. I definitely would have played basketball. Up until I was a junior in high school, I thought I was going to play basketball. I had some opportunities as a junior, there were some people talking about scholarships, but I made up my mind that year to go toward football instead. The best part of being a Division I athlete is being able to go against the cream of the crop. I've had the chance to go up against the best players in the country. The other cool thing is how much you get to eat! Why did you choose Central Michigan University? I chose Central Michigan University when I came up for a visit because of the closeness I felt among the players that I didn't encounter anywhere else. There are no real cliques and everybody hangs out together. The offensive linemen are the leaders of the team; however we go, the team goes and I wanted to embrace that. What is the best advice you have received from your coach? My high school coach Mike Skinner, "Good things happen to good people who work hard for the things they dream of accomplishing." I've lived by those words for quite some time now. Do you have higher expectations going into this season than last? Every year you elevate the expectations for yourself. Demands are higher and the people around you expect higher production and consistency. How did you get started playing football? I tried out for football my freshman year in high school and two practices in, I broke my arm (non-football related). I was reluctant to come back to the sport having never played it before, but with the strong support of my head coach, teammates, and uncle, I carried through rehab and made positive gains in a sport I now love. What would your ideal job be? (Outside of playing sports professionally) To manage an alternative energy company that deals with solar, wind, and geo-thermal engineering. I feel that the industry is on the cutting edge of technology that down the road will be known as common practice. What's the best part of being a Division I athlete? Being a part of a fraternity of brothers who sweat, bleed, and overcome obstacles on a day-to-day basis together. The lessons I've learned from being a Division I athlete are ones that have laid the foundation for a professional career when I leave football one day. I am forever grateful for those who have helped me get to collegiate level so that I would simply have the opportunity to experience what I have. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? Frisco, Outer Banks, N.C. You won't find a fast food joint for 50+ miles and there's great fishing. It's the best place to go if you want to get away from normal life. What is one movie you could watch over and over again and not get sick of? Anchorman, enough said. What is your favorite holiday? Shark Week, yes it's a holiday. What is your most memorable moment in sports, either as an athlete or as a sports fan? Beating Michigan State in our 2009 season 29-27 in the last minutes of the game. The euphoria after the game was and probably will be unmatched for years to come. 2010 Football Summer Preview: Getting To Know... Part I - Chris Anzevino, Kent State Part II - Austin Dantin, Toledo Part III - Mitch Zajac, Western Michigan Part IV - Ben Bojicic, Bowling Green Part V - Alex Kube, Northern Illinois Part VI - Armand Robinson, Miami (Ohio) Part VII - Charlie Todd, Ball State Part VIII - Spencer Keith, Kent State Part IX - Matt Berning, Central Michigan Part X - Kevin Kowalski, Toledo Part XI - Dak Notestine, Ohio Part XII - Domonic Cook, Buffalo Part XIII - Colin Miller, Central Michigan Be sure to visit www.mac-sports.com on Friday, July 30th to watch live video interviews with the league's head coaches and student-athletes as we kick off the season with our 2010 MAC Football Preview at Detroit's Ford Field.  Trackback(0)
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