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Thank You, 55

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 27, 2009

Oh, for it to be 2002 and early 2003 again. Our Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their division, manhandled San Francisco in a divisional playoff game and then closed Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia by beating the Eagles for the NFC Championship.

And then it was on to Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, where the Bucs blasted Oakland for their first and only NFL championship. The most memorable scene that day? The tears in the eyes of No. 55, linebacker Derrick Brooks, after realizing the Super Bowl had been won, that he was a champion after so many miserable years dating to the days of the winking pirate in cream-sickle colors.

It's memories like this that make change so hard, so painful even, in life and professional sports. Brooks, who was released Wednesday by the rebuilding Bucs after 14 great years, is what a professional athlete should be: a leader, an All-Pro, a first-class person on and off the field, a gentleman who makes his community so much better by taking youths under his wing and providing guidance and educational opportunities.

Wednesday also was made dark by the release of running back Warrick Dunn, who rejoined the team last season after spending a few years with the Atlanta Falcons. Dunn doesn't have a Super Bowl ring, but he is still a champion, especially for his program that helps needy people purchase homes.

It's a tossup between who is the greatest Buc - Brooks or Lee Roy Selmon, another tremendous role model. But it's a given that Brooks, who was instrumental in transforming a laughingstock into a champion, will join Selmon in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. It'll be a shame if it's under any other colors other than Buccaneer red and pewter.

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