Davis: Roughriders DB Antoine Brooks Jr. explains why he can't shake football
So Brooks played at the University of Maryland. As a freshman he was one of three players suspended for shooting BB guns on-campus. The other two were charged with assault; Brooks had his suspension lifted and ultimately became the Terrapins' MVP and three-time conference all-star on a team rife with quarterback and coaching changes.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Brooks in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft. A hamstring injury ended his four-game stint in Pittsburgh. He joined the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams for eight regular-season games in 2021 and appeared in two playoff contests, exclusively on special teams, but wasn't dressed when L.A. beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI.
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'They drafted me so I was a little distraught when (the Steelers) let me go,' said Brooks. 'L.A. was like a spark of sunshine. I had fun, enjoyed it and made the most of it because I was mainly a special teams player. I didn't play a lot of defence. I knew what my job was when I went there, so I really just embraced everything.'
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Brooks spent 2023 in the XFL. He spent 2024 on Saskatchewan's practice roster, except for one game, and was there again until Saskatchewan's 37-18 victory over the B.C. Lions on June 28. When starting cornerback Tevaughn Campbell hurt a groin, Brooks took over and intercepted a pass from B.C. quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
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Following a bye week and without Campbell ruled out, it looks like Brooks is finally going to start for the Roughriders against the visiting Stampeders.
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'I never lose interest in playing,' said Brooks. 'Especially when you come to practice and you start feeling the same, like a little kid again.
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'Honestly, I love my teammates. I make sure I'm brighter than the room because if I'm having a dark day, I know their day is gonna be dark. You know, I'm on the practice squad and I'm embracing it. So they're gonna embrace their job even more.'
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