Billy Brooks

Billy Brooks was born William McKinley Brooks Jr. on July 22, 1953, in Austin, Texas. At Albert Sidney Johnston High School he played running back and receiver, ran track, and was later named one of Austin's top 100 football players. He played receiver on Oklahoma's 1974 and 1975 national title teams, was an All-American in 1975, and caught 24 passes for 600 yards and six touchdowns in the run-heavy wishbone. He also earned a degree in special education. Cincinnati drafted him in the first round, 11th overall, in 1976. In 1977 he led the Bengals with 39 catches for 772 yards. He played 55 NFL games for Cincinnati (1976–1979), San Diego and Houston (1981), with 96 catches for 1,720 yards and seven touchdowns. Tidbit: his sons Mehcad Brooks, an actor, and Billy Brooks Jr. also played football. The Daily Oklahoman wrote on April 9, 1976 (NewsBank page 81): "Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin of Ohio State was chosen 13 first round players behind a second team wide receiver who had caught only five passes last season at Oklahoma, Billy Brooks."