Longhorns broadcaster Ahmad Brooks to speak at 4th and 1 Awards Program

Tickets are available now for the first 4th and 1 Chris Campbell Speaker Series Awards Program scheduled for Friday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Northeast Texas Community College.

The free event, culminating the week-long 4th and 1 Football Camp, will feature Texas Longhorns broadcaster Ahmad Brooks as guest speaker. The awards program will pay tribute to former Mount Pleasant football star Chris Campbell and showcase the accomplishments of 44 area high school student-athletes who were selected for the first 4th and 1 Football Camp. This event is sponsored by Guaranty Bond Bank.

Brooks, an Abilene native, is the current television host of the Longhorn Sports Center with Mack Brown which broadcasts nationwide and radio co-host of “Wake-Up Call” on AM 1300 the Zone.

Daron Roberts, founder of the 4th and 1 Football Camp and University of Texas alumni, is looking forward to Ahmad Brooks’ arrival in Mount Pleasant.

“The 4th and 1 Football Camp organization is excited to have Ahmad Brooks as program speaker for this inaugural event,” Roberts said. “Ahmad is truly an exceptional individual and I wanted people like him to have a chance to speak directly to our campers. This free event is also an opportunity for other area youth and the community to be inspired by those who dared to dream.”

Before establishing a successful career in broadcast, Brooks signed with the University of Texas football team in 1998 as part of Coach Mack Brown’s inaugural class. By the conclusion of his senior year, he and his fellow teammates were deemed the “winningest class in UT history” and were credited with restoring prestige and rank to the University of Texas football program. He later played three years in the National Football League as a member of both the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints teams prior to his retirement in 2005.

While at the University of Texas, Brooks’ personal accomplishments included receiving action in 51 games and starting 27 contests while recording 182 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, 27 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in four years as a Texas Longhorn. Additionally, he secured a team-high 88 tackles for #1 ranked defense in the country including a career-high 22 stops in the Big 12 Championship game against Colorado and led the Longhorns with 16 pass breakups and two interceptions in 1999.

Brooks served as Team Captain in 2001 to his fellow teammates along with Major Applewhite and DeDe Lewis and garnered several honors including All-Big 12 Mention as well as receiving the University of Texas Outstanding Senior Award for his accomplishments on and off the football field. Brooks was a member of the Athletics Dean’s Honor Roll while also serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council as the Longhorn football team representative.

A graduate of Abilene High School, Brooks was a member of the Under-16 U.S. National Soccer Pool and led the Abilene Eagles football squad to their best record in decades. Brooks became Abilene High’s first Division I football signee in 11 years and the school’s first player to earn a spot in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game since 1964.

After retiring from the NFL, Brooks received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies from the University of Texas. Brooks is currently also co-owner and Chief Visionary Officer of Trinity Networks as well as an aspiring lawyer, author and on-air talent for Fox Sports Southwest.

NFL player Derrick Johnson to headline upcoming football camp at NTCC

Derrick Johnson, current Kansas City Chiefs’ linebacker and one of the most decorated players in the history of University of Texas football, will be at Mount Pleasant High School’s Sam Parker Field Thursday, July 15, participating in a free 7-on-7 tournament sponsored by the 4th and 1 Football Camp.

Johnson, the former Butkus Award winner, four-time College All-American Linebacker and the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft, will provide on-field instruction to 4th and 1 campers and discuss the importance of academics and making good decisions. Also attending the tournament will be Detroit Lions’ cornerback Dante Wesley and safety Marvin White, a former Texas Christian University standout. All three NFL players will be available to sign autographs for the public at the tournament.

The 7-on-7 tournament, scheduled from 4:15-6:15 p.m., will showcase the talents of 44 area high school student-athletes who were selected for the first 4th and 1 Football Camp. Created by Daron Roberts, a current Detroit Lions football coach, the 4th and 1 Camp features not only the fundamentals of football but also focuses on academic and professional development. Campers will learn test-taking strategies for the SAT/ACT as well as how to create a resume and show proper etiquette in a variety of settings. The week-long camp will be housed on the campus of Northeast Texas Community College.

Roberts, a 1997 Mount Pleasant High School graduate, reached out to Johnson because of his commitment to at-risk youth.

“DJ embodies everything that 4th and 1 strives to instill in our student-athletes,” Roberts said. “His success on the playing field goes without mention. But more importantly, his own personal commitment to education and community and the personal leadership that he has displayed epitomizes what we are trying to achieve at 4th and 1.”

Johnson is no stranger to volunteering his time and generosity. Upon entering the NFL, Johnson started the Derrick Johnson Foundation. His foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities and resources to enable at-risk young males to excel in becoming well rounded and positive influences within their community and succeed in the academic arena.

“I am very excited about volunteering at 4th and 1,” the Waco native said. “The more positive influences and direction that these young men have, the greater the likelihood is that they will achieve success in their lives.”

For more information concerning all July 12-16 camp activities, please visit the 4th and 1 Football Camp website at www.4thand1.org.