A two-time All-America selection, who also was recognized as a premier receiver in the National Football League, Billy Brooks remains one of the Terriers' greatest football players of all time.
As a senior, Brooks earned Second Team AP All-America honors, and first team All-New England and All-Yankee Conference accolades. His stellar performance earned him an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, a game that features the nation's top seniors.
In addition, the Questrom School of Business graduate was the 1985-86 recipient of the Mickey Cochrane Award as the University's top male athlete, and a 1986 Scarlet Key recipient. He also served on the athletic department's Drug Committee, which was formed to implement a drug-testing program for athletes.
In his junior season, he led the Terriers to a 9-3 mark, including a berth in the NCAA 1-AA playoffs, and was the first receiver to lead the football team in scoring. Brooks also led the Terriers in receptions, yards and touchdown receptions. He was recognized as an honorable mention All-American, a first team All-New England and a first team All-Yankee Conference selection.
After the 1984 football season, Brooks competed with the indoor track team and finished sixth in the 55-meter dash at the Greater Boston Championships.
As a sophomore he led the Terriers to a 9-4 overall mark, earning All-Conference honors. Boston University defeated Eastern Kentucky, 24-20, in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. In the second round, Brooks caught 12 passes for 234 yards but the Terriers bowed to Furman.
As a freshman, Brooks was named Yankee Conference Rookie of the Year, having led the Terriers with 30 receptions, while finishing second on the team in receiving yards.
A fourth-round draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts, Brooks made his presence felt in the National Football League, walking away with the 1986 AFC Rookie of the Year Award. Above that, the personable Brooks gained the respect of his teammates of the field.
"Billy is a bright and articulate person" said Rod Dowhower, then-head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. "He is a positive thinker and has a good personality to go with it."
