Larry Brooks

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Larry Brooks (born June 10, 1950), is a former American Football defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams eleven seasons from 1972 to 1982 in the National Football League. Brooks was drafted in the in the 14th round of the 1972 NFL Draft after playing college football at Virginia State-Petersburg.

Brooks became a starter at right defensive tackle in the 8th game of the season during his rookie year. He collected 9 quarterback sacks in 1973 and the Rams defense was tops in the NFL against the run. In 1974 Brooks tackled opposing passers 11 times as the Rams were first in the NFC with 44 sacks. He recorded 5 sacks in 1975 before a knee injury shelved him for the second half of the season. The Rams clearly missed him during the NFC Championship loss to Dallas as they were suckered countless times by the Cowboys shotgun in a 37-7 loss. Brooks rebounded in 1976 with 13 sacks and in 1977 was named to numerous All-NFL and All-NFC teams. In 1978 he was still named All-NFC by the the NEA and Pro Football Weekly despite missing the last 2 games of the season plus the NFC Championship game with a knee injury. In 1979 he led the Rams defensive line in tackles and had 6 sacks and knocked down 4 passes. In 1980 he also led the defensive line in tackles in addition to having 8.5 sacks as the Rams defense led the NFC with 56 sacks. Brooks was a five time Pro Bowler from 1976 to 1980.

Brooks retired in 1983 and from 1984-1990 was assistant defensive line coach for the Rams. He served as the defensive line coach for the Green Bay Packers from 1994-1998, the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2002, The Chicago Bears in 2003, and has been the Detroit Lions defensive line coach from 2004-present.

Virginia Sport Hall of Fame 2000 inductee, Larry Brooks, a native of Prince George and a Prince George High School standout, made a name for himself at every level of athletics. In high school, he was selected as an All-Central District choice as a defensive end. Brooks furthered his education and attended Virginia State University, where he was named to the Associated Press Little All-American team as a defensive tackle in 1971. He also was named Virginia Small College Lineman of the Year and received all-conference honors.

A 14th round draft choice of the Los Angeles Rams, Brooks was a starter at defensive tackle for 10 years. He was named to the Pro Bowl five consecutive years from 1976-80, and was named All-Pro from 1977-79 while on his way to starting in the team’s only Super Bowl appearance in 1980. Brooks had 17 quarterback sacks in 1976, and led the defensive line in 1979 in total tackles. Before the 1980 season, he led the defensive line in tackles, had 8 ? quarterback sacks and one forced fumble. The streak ended in 1981 when he was sidelined by a knee injury and surgery.

Brooks then began a coaching career in 1983 with the Los Angeles Rams as the assistant defensive line coach. He spent eight years with the team, where he was paired with defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur. In 1991, Brooks returned to his alma mater, where he served as Virginia States’ Assistant Athletic Director and assistant football coach. He was ultimately named Athletic Director in 1993.

Brooks united with Mike Holmgren’s future Seattle coaching staff in 1994 as the Green Bay Packers defensive line coach. In 1998, he led the Packers to become the NFL’s fourth-ranked defensive unit that held its opponents to 281.7 yards a game, and a rushing defense that allowed just 90.1 rushing yards a game. He worked with former all-time sack leader Reggie White (198) and accepted the opportunity to groom one of the NFL’s top sack masters, Michael Sinclair. His line played a major role in Green Bay’s Super Bowl XXXI victory when the defense allowed a league low 259.8 yards per game and a meager 3.5-yard per rush average.

Larry Brooks, defensive line; born June 10, 1950, Prince George, Va. Defensive lineman Virginia State 1968-1971. Pro defensive tackle Los Angeles Rams 1972-1982. College coach: Virginia State 1992-93. Pro coach: Los Angeles Rams 1983-1990, Green Bay Packers 1994-98, Seattle Seahawks 1999-2002, Chicago Bears 2003, Detroit Lions 2004-05, joined Arizona Cardinals in 2006.