Through the years
April 18, 1973: Born April 18 in Pensacola.
1989: As a junior, helps lead Pensacola Washington High to the Class 5A state semifinals, where it loses to eventual champion Bradenton Manatee.
1991: Signs with Florida State, where he plays four seasons and is a first-team All-ACC pick as a sophomore, junior and senior.
1993: Switches from safety to linebacker and is named ACC defensive player of the year and first-team All-American as FSU wins the national championship, beating Nebraska 18-16 in the Orange Bowl.
1994: Named an All-American honorable mention.
April 22, 1995: Selected 28th overall by the Bucs.
1997: Leads the Bucs to their first playoff berth since 1982, which includes a 20-10 wild-card win over the Lions at Tampa Stadium. Named to the first of 11 Pro Bowls.
1997: Creates Brooks Bunch, which helps youth from the Wilbert Davis, Ybor City and Brandon Boys & Girls clubs.
1999: Leads the Bucs to the NFC Central title and a 14-13 win against the Redskins in the division game before an 11-6 loss to the Rams in the NFC title game.
2000: Named the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year (honoring off-field efforts). Escorts members of the Brooks Bunch for a trip to South Africa.
Sept. 30, 2001: Sets a franchise record with 23 tackles (18 solo) and adds an interception in a 20-16 loss at Minnesota.
2002: Named NFL defensive player of the year after recording 170 tackles and five interceptions (three returned for scores) in leading the Bucs to the NFC South title then a win in Super Bowl XXXVII.
2003: Named NFL's Byron "Whizzer" White Man of the Year (for community service). Named to FSU's board of directors.
Feb. 12, 2006: In his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl, named the MVP after returning a Trent Green interception 59 yards for a touchdown that secures the NFC's victory.
2007: Co-founds Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School, a charter school in Hillsborough County, with former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo.
2008: In his final season, records 73 tackles and an interception and is selected to his 11th Pro Bowl. The 11 Pro Bowls tie for second most by a linebacker in NFL history.
Feb. 25, 2009: Released by the Bucs along with fellow veterans Joey Galloway, Ike Hilliard, Warrick Dunn and Cato June. Later hired by ESPN as an NFL analyst.
Nov. 13, 2010: FSU retires his No. 10 jersey.
2011: Named president of the Arena Football League's Tampa Bay Storm.
Feb. 1, 2014: Elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
July 25, 2014: Named one of two NFL arbitrators to rule on appeals of fines levied for on-field infractions.
Times staff