Robert Brooks

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

Commander Claud Ashton Jones (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on August 29, 1916, on board the USS Memphis. His citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a senior engineer officer on board the U.S.S. Memphis, at a time when the vessel was suffering total destruction from a hurricane while anchored off Santo Domingo City, 29 August 1916. Lt. Jones did everything possible to get the engines and boilers ready, and if the elements that burst upon the vessel had delayed for a few minutes, the engines would have saved the vessel. With boilers and steampipes bursting about him in clouds of scalding steam, with thousands of tons of water coming down upon him and in almost complete darkness, Lt. Jones nobly remained at his post as long as the engines would turn over, exhibiting the most supreme unselfish heroism which inspired the officers and men who were with him. When the boilers exploded, Lt. Jones, accompanied by 2 of his shipmates, rushed into the firerooms and drove the men there out, dragging some, carrying others to the engineroom, where there was air to be breathed instead of steam. Lt. Jones' action on this occasion was above and beyond the call of duty.

Private David Jones (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 22, 1863, at Vicksburg, Mississippi. His citation reads:

Gallantry in the charge of the "volunteer storming party."

Ensign Herbert Charpoit Jones (US Navy) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. His citation reads:

For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. Ens. Jones organized and led a party, which was supplying ammunition to the antiaircraft battery of the U.S.S. California after the mechanical hoists were put out of action when he was fatally wounded by a bomb explosion. When 2 men attempted to take him from the area which was on fire, he refused to let them do so, saying in words to the effect, "Leave me alone! I am done for. Get out of here before the magazines go off."


The I’m just sayin… Know Your South Carolina Athlete

Our SC athlete who we are looking at today is the great Robert Brooks. Robert Darren Brooks (born June 23, 1970 in Greenwood, South Carolina) is a former wide receiver who attended University of South Carolina and played for the Green Bay Packers (1992–1998) and the Denver Broncos. He played running back until he reached college. In his senior year of high school, he scored 14 touchdowns and gained over 700 yards. He was also a state champion track star in high school.

Brooks played collegiately for the University of South Carolina (1988–1991). He was a fan favorite throughout his college career, Brooks was known for his fluid running and sure hands. He was a Freshman All-American in 1988. Originally recruited as a running back, Brooks took to the field at Wide receiver wearing the jersey number 49 for the Gamecocks. During the 1988 season; Brooks, then a freshmen, made an exceptional over the shoulder one handed catch for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Robert was drafted in the third round, 62nd over all, of the 1992 NFL draft to the Green Bay Packers. He played for the Green Bay Packers (1992–1998) and the Denver Broncos (2000). He led the NFL in kickoff returns in 1993 with a 26.6-yard average. He came into his own in 1995, following a career-ending injury to teammate (and former Revolutionary War Hero) Sterling Sharpe. That year, he led the Packers with 102 receptions and 13 touchdowns, while racking up 1,497 receiving yards, a franchise record. During the 1995 season, Brooks caught a 99-yard pass play from Brett Favre during a Monday Night Football game against the Chicago Bears September 11, 1995. This reception currently ties the records for longest pass play from scrimmage with eleven other receivers.

Brooks suffered a severe knee injury in week 7 of the 1996 season against the San Francisco 49ers. Brooks suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn patellar tendon in that game. This caused him to miss the remainder of the season (including Super Bowl XXXI). Robert vowed to return the next season, and in 1997 he won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, catching 60 passes for 1,010 yards and 7 touchdowns. Brooks later developed back problems as he was forced to change his running mechanics. He suffered through a painful season in 1998, and briefly retired before attempting a comeback with the Broncos in 2000. Following the season, in which he appeared in only a handful of games, Brooks again retired from the NFL. At the time of his retirement, Brooks finished with 309 receptions, 4,276 yards, and 32 touchdowns.

Congrats to Robert Brooks for being our SC Athlete you should know.

Thanks for the info Wikipedia!!