Ernest Hooper: Derrick Brooks shows a special brand of leadership

In my days of covering the NFL and the Bucs, linebacker Derrick Brooks left an indelible impression not for what he said after victories, but for what he said after losses.

Notably, he always took the time to speak to the media, no matter how bad the loss. And when we asked how the team could reverse its misfortunes, Brooks always said he would look in the mirror and start by pointing the finger at himself — even though he almost always had played superbly.

So it came as no surprise that humility underscored Brooks' Saturday induction speech into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

But I am surprised that humility and leadership aren't more closely associated. It's a life lesson Brooks lives every day. . . .

Seen on a bumper sticker: Lord, let me be the person my cat thinks I am. . . .

I like that state House District 67 candidate Chris Latvala refuses to participate in any debate that includes Josh Black, a District 68 candidate and fellow Republican who called for the hanging of President Obama. That refusal is another brand of leadership. . . .

John Miller launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a country album he wants to record, and he's close to completing his $20,000 goal. It helps that he performs at yoga and spin classes, and solicits help at Tampa Bay Comic Con. Sometimes leadership is defined by taking chances. . . .

Kudos to Catholic Bishop Robert Lynch for appealing to members of the St. Petersburg Diocese to help shelter the child migrants pouring across the Mexican border from Central America. It's the right thing to do. And it's leadership, too.

That's all I'm saying.