British Brooks Loves Football Again

Why the Texans kept certain players according to Caserio and Ryans

British Brooks didn’t want to see a football. He didn’t want to touch a football. He didn’t want to talk about football.

It was the “dark times” of his football career. For the love of the game? Leave that for the movies. It was hard times for a former walk-on.

An injury derailed 2022. Brooks tore a ligament in his knee and contemplated not playing college football anymore. One morning, he texted North Carolina head coach Mack Brown that he wanted to come back. The 2023 season was better, his best actually, but nothing amazing in the landscape of college production.

A ray of light, but still dark.

Brooks wasn’t sure he would train for his pro day after last football season. He again woke up and sent a text, this time to his cousin, to get started training. He went undrafted and signed with the Texans who had traded for Joe Mixon, already had Dameon Pierce, and a few days into the preseason added Cam Akers.

Brooks had plenty of obstacles to his football career continuing.

Now, the walk-on turned Tar Heel is an undrafted free agent turned member of the Texans.

“Just very appreciative to be a part of the team first and foremost,” Brooks said Wednesday. “Being very appreciative of Nick [Caserio] and [Head] Coach DeMeco [Ryans] for giving me this opportunity.”

He earned it. Brooks played well in the last stretch of the preseason. He showcased his ability to be physical and had one of the best preseason performances for the team against the Giants scoring two touchdowns. He also plays a variety of special teams roles.

He worked out with the tight ends on Wednesday indicating the likelihood he will be a fullback-type player for the Texans.

“Really I’m down for wherever they need me at, to be honest,” he said. “I don’t care if I have to play center, O-line, you know wherever they need me at, they won’t hear a no from me.”

That attitude helped him make the team.

“So British [Brooks] just shows up, doesn't say much, and does his job, which the more people like that we have around here, the better for everybody,” said general manager Nick Caserio. “He's earned his opportunity. He's earned his way onto the team.”

Head coach DeMeco Ryans said Brooks is an example of what the NFL can be.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re drafted, it doesn’t matter where you come from,” Ryans said. “If you can help our team in any way, you’ll earn a spot and that’s what he did, he earned a spot.”

He didn’t participate in running back drills meaning his “spot” is still to be determined. He’s listed as a running back and played mostly running back in the preseason. The Texans have no officially listed fullback. Brooks moonlighted there as the preseason was wrapping up.

Who knew the ray through the dark times would be that moonlighting that gave him his chance?

Brooks, again touching footballs and talking about the game, is out of the dark times. Remember that “L word” from earlier? The one reserved for the movies. Life imitates art sometimes.

“I told my high school kids, a coach shouldn’t ask you if you love football. He should be able to see that you love football. I think that’s one thing that the people around me don’t have to ask if I love football. It’s always been in my heart to be a football player.”

Practice Observations

The Texans had a lighter practice, closer to what you would expect from the regular season. The media was allowed to watch all of the practice. Here are a few observations that stood out.