Chet Brooks, a celebrated defensive back who won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and made his mark at Texas A&M, has died at the age of 60 following a battle with cancer, the school announced.
Brooks’ career at Texas A&M cemented him as one of the Aggies’ defensive icons. He earned All-America and all-conference honors while helping lead the team to three conference titles and multiple Cotton Bowl appearances, according to the New York Post.
He is also credited with coining the “Wrecking Crew” nickname for the Aggies’ defense in the mid-1980s, a moniker that became legendary in college football.
Brooks was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011, honoring his contributions to the program both on and off the field.
Social media quickly filled with condolences from former teammates, fans, and alumni, many writing “here” in remembrance, a tradition among Aggies to honor those who have passed.
The 49ers selected Brooks in the 11th round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in San Francisco, from 1988 to 1990, and was part of the team’s back-to-back Super Bowl-winning squads in the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
During his NFL career, Brooks played in 33 games, recording a sack, a fumble recovery, and two crucial interceptions in the 1989 playoffs—one against the Minnesota Vikings and the other in Super Bowl XXIV against the Denver Broncos.
After the 1990 season, Brooks retired from professional football, leaving behind a legacy defined by toughness, skill, and leadership. Fans remember him not only for his on-field performance but also for the lasting imprint he left on the Aggies’ program and the NFL.
Texas A&M released a statement honoring Brooks’ life and career, calling him “a beloved Aggie and a true champion, whose contributions to our football program and the sport at large will never be forgotten.”
Brooks’ family and former teammates celebrated his impact, reflecting on a career that spanned college glory and professional triumph, a legacy marked by dedication and excellence.
