Buccaneers Most Beloved Man Champion: Mr. Derrick Brooks

After weeks of match-ups, brackets, and voting, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ fans have selected the player they love the most.

It’s all over, Buccaneers fans. We started with eight and finally got it all the way down to one. In what should come as no surprise at all, here are the results of the championship match-up;

Yes, the beloved number 55, Derrick Brooks has been named The Pewter Plank’s official Most Beloved Buccaneer of all time. His path took him through match-ups against Mike Alstott, fellow Hall of Famer Warren Sapp, and finally Ronde Barber. To say his path was easy would be a lie.

So what is it about Derrick Brooks that makes him so loved by Bucs fans of all generations? Was it the way he carried himself both on and off the field? The pure passion he played the game with? His leadership through the years of ups and downs? His ability to answer the call, no matter what it was?

More from Bucs All-Time Lists

• Rob Gronkowski and the top five tight ends in Buccaneers history
• Best Buccaneers player during each US presidency
• Top ten Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks of all time
• Buccaneers Mount Rushmore: Lavonte David vs. Warren Sapp
• Buccaneers: Top five players that only wore creamsicle uniform

I like to think it was all of the above. I like to think that Brooks was a representative of every Bucs fan across the nation. The player they most proud to have on their team because he was the player that opposing teams feared most. He was the player that would lay it all on the line on Sunday, just to turn around and visit an elementary school on Monday.

Here are some favorite moments sent in by Bucs fans;

It’s fantastic that Brooks is still part of the Bucs landscape. He’s frequently contacted by new or current Bucs players and is always willing to lend a hand. Last year, he was more than happy to reach out and offer to mentor Jameis Winston. Now, he’s taking the time to help out a superstar in the making, Kwon Alexander;

The more you think about Derrick Brooks the man and remember Derrick Brooks the player, the easier it is to realize why he is the most loved player in Bucs history as voted on by you, the fans.

Next: 2016 NFL Mock Draft 7.0

Share in the comments what your favorite Derrick Brooks moment was or what makes him your favorite player. And, of course, this championship would not be complete without this. Who’s our favorite player? You, Derrick…you.