​Quarterback Montreal Connor 1, Ruston takes on Ouachita Parish Football in the Division I nonselect LHSAA State Championship Game on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Scott Clause / USA Today Network captures a scene from the event in Grambling, where Michael Brooks, a Ruston High School standout who later joined the NFL for a decade and earned spots in both the Colorado and Louisiana Sports Halls of Fame, reflects on a life shaped by family, community, and a steadfast commitment to doing the right thing. Brooks is the youngest of 13 children and is the son of the late Louise, his devoted mother, and Oscar, his World War II veteran father and lifelong hero.
From a young age, Brooks learned a fundamental lesson from his family: true excellence demands total commitment. That ethic has guided his actions off the field as well, culminating in his first youth football camp at Lincoln Preparatory School, a community effort aimed at giving back and mentoring the next generation. The event drew a notable turnout, including several of Brooks’ relatives and NFL alumni, who joined to inspire younger players and demonstrate what is possible with hard work and integrity.
“We wanted to come back and do something positive for the community and the neighborhood, to show these kids there are other avenues in life beyond football,” Brooks said. “Football motivated me, and the NFL players I work with are not only outstanding athletes but also exceptional fathers and role models. I want the kids to see people they can look up to and imitate in positive ways.”
Ruston alumnus and NFL veteran Michael Brooks led the sessions, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and the importance of collaboration. “Even if you aren’t a professional football player, you can learn discipline and how to work well with teammates. Life is about blending with people from all backgrounds, and you’ve got to bring that same attitude and work ethic to any endeavor you pursue,” Brooks added. He hopes this message resonates with campers as they navigate their own paths.
Young athletes dressed in blue and orange shirts bearing the verse Proverbs 3:6 on the back participated in a range of drills, including football fundamentals and 7-on-7 play, all while receiving constant encouragement from counselors and mentors. Among the NFL alumni in attendance was Dalton Hilliard, a Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer and one of LSU’s legendary running backs, who shared a long-standing friendship with Brooks. Hilliard, who grew up in Patterson without access to many professional camps, underscored the importance of mentors and teachers in shaping life beyond high school.
The two men, whose friendship spans decades, continue to learn from one another as they pursue paths beyond football. Hilliard recalled lessons learned early on: the sport can take you a long way, but you must cultivate skills and character that endure after the final whistle. “We understood from a very young age that football could propel us, yet we had to develop something far greater,” Hilliard said. “I’m grateful to be here because he has done that for others—helping them prepare for life after football.” Brooks, for his part, remains committed to expanding opportunities for youth and showing them that dedication, mentorship, and teamwork can unlock doors to a fulfilling future.