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Demopolis native Tommy Brooker has passed away at the age of 79.

Brooker was born in Demopolis in 1939 and was a standout football player at Demopolis High School from 1954 to 1957, going on to be play at the University of Alabama. He was a member of the first recruiting class of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, played on the 1961 National Championship team, going on to have a successful career in the American Football League with the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. While with the Texans, he kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime to win the 1962 AFL Championship for the Texans. He also played on the first Super Bowl championship team with the Chiefs.

His legacy did not stop once he left the gridiron in 1966. Brooker returned to Tuscaloosa and found success in the construction business and later Tommy Brooker Realty. In 1968 he was a founding member of the A-Club Charitable & Educational Foundation, which raises funds through UA’s alumni athlete organization.

Brooker was named to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. That same year Brooker was named to the Marengo County Sports Hall of Fame as an inaugural member.

DHS continues to honor Brooker’s legacy each year at graduation through the presentation of the Tommy Brooker Award, presented to a male student based on character and leadership.

Brooker was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, who passed away in 2017.

He is survived by two sons, Todd Brooker and Blake Brooker.

Services will be held at Sunday, 2:30 p.m., at Forest Lake United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Forest Lake United Methodist Church or the Alabama “A” Club Educational & Charitable Foundation.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, September 25 issue of the Demopolis Times.)