Heavy-Hearted Brooks, Back with 49ers
Posted by on April 9, 2010 – 9:52 AM
This was supposed to be the best offseason of Ahmad Brooks’ five-year NFL career. Career-wise, that statement held true to form, but it was not the case on a personal level. All it took was one devastating tragedy to remind Brooks that there’s more to life than just the game of football.
When the 49ers outside linebacker entered free agency this offseason as a restricted free agent, he was optimistic about signing a contract that would give him the stability that every NFL player seeks. Instead of finding that comfort right away, Brooks found out his father Perry had passed away on the first of March.
“It’s my father man, my dad, for 26 years he raised me, from the time I was a little boy until now. With him passing away, I was just heartbroken,” Brooks said after a recent workout at team headquarters.
Perry, 55, was no stranger to the NFL himself. He played eight seasons with the Washington Redskins and won two Super Bowl rings. He was also extremely influential in Ahmad’s football career, dedicating a lot of time to see his son play.
With his father’s legacy and influence still firmly planted in his mind, Ahmad has chosen to dedicate his career in the memory of his father.
“He’ll always be in my heart. He’ll always be in my memory. I know this is what he’d want me to do.”
As difficult as it was for Brooks to say goodbye to his father, he decided to reunite with his other family nearly a month later, by signing a two-year contract to remain with the team that signed him before the start of the 2008 season.
“It’s always good to see your teammates,” Brooks said. “This is my family. This is my home. This is where I want to be. This is where I’d like to end my career, to tell you the truth. I’d rather be here than anywhere else. California is beautiful weather, we have a great coaching staff, a great organization and we have great players. Everything is first-class, and I like that.”
Now that the free agency period is over, a relief for Brooks, the 6-foot-3, 259-pound pass rush specialist can focus on building off his 2009 season in which he posted a career-high six sacks.
“Signing last week gives me a chance to actually settle in and just get back to work,” Brooks said. “When you’re in the free agency market, you really don’t know where you’re going to be or for how long. I’m just thankful that I was able to sign a two-year contract and keep building on what we accomplished last year.”
With Perry’s spirit infused in what has already proven to be a relentless pass rusher, Ahmad will continue to be a valuable asset to the 49ers defense.
It just might be his best season on the field yet.
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By Streets on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Hey Ahmad Sorry for your loss, I hope you have a great season this year and make the pro bowl at the end of the year because we need you to reck shop this year.
By assistboy on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
sorry about the loss of your dad. my condolences to you and your family, ahmad. carry on your dad’s legacy…i’m sure he’s checking on you!
go niners!
By Derek on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad Sorry for you loss, it’s great to see that you will be back on the field with the 9er’s again. As hard as it is to lose a loved one just know that your father is in a better place and that he is being taken care of.I hope you have an awesome season and I hope to see you guys in the playoffs this year.Huge 9er’s fan. all the best.
By 9er fan on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
God Bless!
By Matthew Herzog on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
I second that man..sorry about the passing of your father.All you gota do is keep him on your mind and keep it 100% On the field..Because trust me hes watching.
By TD on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Amad, no one can truly understand what you are going through and saying sorry is never enough but thank you for sharing this with us… i’m sure it’s very hard. I am sure you’ll have a great season and your father will be watching every game from above.
By MelvinLWaltonJr on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
I would like to say that i am sorry for the passing of your father, I am happy that you are back with the 49ers, this will be a great season that i am sure of, you are on a great team, in a great place, even as a Niners fan, i can literally see the good that has come with you being on the team, i am excited for you, i am excited for the Niners, and i am excited for the new season, Good Luck to you Ahmad on a great season.
By Kimo on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have a GREAT attitude…you’ll be exciting to watch again this next season.
By preston thomas on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
sorry for ur loos i give u my condolanes. let this encouage u this seasson and seassons 2 come godbless and get 10 sax this year
By Chris (EPT) on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad even though i don’t know you personally or followed your career, i respect you as a man for sharing such personal tragic story. My father left us when i was months old and i never once thought of looking for him. But after reading your story it helps me understand the importance of seizing the opportunity to look for him before its too late. Thanks Ahmad!!
GOOD LUCK IN 2010!!
By Dave Whitaker on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Amhad,
I understand what you are going through,
i lost my Wife last Dec. but I know she is now my garding angle as your dad is yours God Bless you and your family
Go 9ers all the wat to SB winn
By Matt on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, we’re so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I too know what its like to loss aloved one. My dad passed away when i was 8 and he too was a 9ers fan. Our thought and prayers will be with you through your tough time. He’s in a better place now and is watching over you always. I’m sure he is really proud of all your achievements and wants you to remain being as strong as you can be. We are all hear for you and we hope to see you and the rest of the team have a good year this year. I find that it’s great you should dedicate your career to your dad, i’m sure he’s in heavin with a BIG smile on his face. God Bless you Ahmad. Keep strong and have a good year!!
By Adrian on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
He’s going to be watching you tearing it up on the field every sunday and is going to be very proud. Carry on the legacy. I am so glad you’re back with the niners! Keep up the good work and always keep your head up!
By Srinath on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
My condolences to you and your loved ones. Carry on strongly, Ahmad.
By ladale on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
God Bless you and your family Ahmad. Here’s to seeing you rip up the league next season. All eyes on you, including the good man who raised you.
By Brooks is the man on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Brooks you the man, he will always be in your heart, now get ready to crack some heads…
By Du on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
I’m deeply sorry Ahmad for your loss, best wishes to you this coming season.
We need to take advantage of the time we have with our loved ones while they’re still with us, leaving no room for any regrets later.
By steve on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
I myself had 2 fathers, both gone now. best wishes to you, and hold true to all that he taught you.
By JOHN on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, you are the kind of player i really enjoy watching at the game, seem to always get in the backfield breaking up plays, this year get 12 sacks and each time do a little prayer for him. faithful fan
By Robert Guerrero on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Sorry for your loss Ahmad got to keep your heap up stay strong and positive!!!!
By Joe on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Sorry for your loss, i hope all is well and i wish u and your family the best this year. Lets have a great season and go 49ers.
By turtleman03 on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
You have my deepest sympathies Ahmad. I pray that God will give you strength in this time of mourning. Also, we the 49er Faithful are glad to have you back this upcoming season!
By benny hernandez on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad,we mourn with your loss.May the good lord
grant you the strength to carry on with your life
and go forward.For those that wait upon the lord,
shall renew their strength,they shall fly as wings
of eagles,they shall run and not be weary,they shall walk and not faint.
By ajpn on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
My condolences to you and yours. Looks like your dad raised you to carry on the mantle. Congrats on coming back. It’s going to be a great year.
By Rathman44 on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
I would have to say that I feel a great deal of empathy for your the death of your father. I would also, have to say that the San Francisco 49ers should name you a defensive captain this year is honour of you and your father.
By brooks55 on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
rest in paradise to your father.. im glad you enjoy being with the organization.. hope u have a long and very successful career here.. toast to the best LB corp in the league!!!!! go frisco baby!!
By A.BROOKS THE BEAST 55! on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
SORRY TA HEAR BOUT UR LOSE MAN.. MUST BE TOUGH. TEAR IT UP THIS SEASON WE ALL KNOW WHAT UR CAPABLE OF!! PASS RUSH SPEACIALIST!!!! GET EM DAWG!
By FaithfulManSince'88 on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
I’m sure your father was proud of you, Ahmad. And I’m sure something good has to come out of this for you. Good Luck on a great season thats right in front of us.
GO NINERS!!! WE’RE ALL FAMILY!!!
By tonyaranza on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Brooks condolence, your dad will be around to watch you excel in this league.
I’m always excited to see you play last year, i know you have potential to be one of the great in this league.
By newton on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Sorry to hear about your Dad. I watched him play over the years. What a great loss.
There are many, many great seasons ahead of you that you can make your Dad proud.
You always remind me of Ricky Jackson when you rushed from the edge – power and quickness.
By jo on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Brooks you know what time it is….. time to go hard….
By Steve on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmed, I too am sorry for your loss. I lost my dad in 2008. I still miss him every day but the pain does become more managble with time. We’re all going there. We’ll see them when we get there. Take care buddy.
By JonXPro86-88 on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad,
My condolences to you and your family as I lost my father 22 years ago at the age of 56. I was 24 and had just left the Cleveland Browns (played 2 season) following a career ending knee injury. My father’s death was devistating to me as I had always looked up to him and he was my hero. My father was always the little league president, the pop warner president, the booster president and he was also the Mayor of our Northern California city for over 18 years. I found strength in knowing that my father had raised me to be a competitor in now matter what I did. I went on to a 14 year career in law enforcement then opened my very 1st fitness center following my 6th knee op and a medical retirement. I now have 36 clubs here in California from Lompoc Santa Barbara County) to Antioch. I am also in my 16 year a high school football coach in Northern California which has allowed me to give back to my almater. Today I donated (5) dumbell racks and 50 pairs of dumbbells for their weight room at the high school. Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on the lessons my father taught me, the great work ethic he instilled in me and his reminder to always give back. Three weeks ago my mother passed away at 77 after a 2 year battle with Cancer and all those previous feeling regarding my father overwhelmed me again. But I remember all the good times that we had and the look on my parents face when I first receivd my football scholarship to college and the next being drafted into the National Football League. Those were very special and pridefilled moments for me. I saw tears of joy come from my father’s eyes which I had never seen before. That was special.
Ahmad, just remember; Success is something that you have 100% control over. Failure should never be an option as it just means that you did not try hard enough. Stay strong for your family Ahmad and remember his life lessons & teachings.
Should you like to talk, you can obtain my email address from the blog master as I entered it.
Good luck & God bless,
Jon
By greg on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
hang in there its tough and you will never get over the loss you just learn to deal with it i lost my dad nine years ago and still hurts. take care have a good healthy season go!!!!! niners…
By Danny on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Hey Ahmad I am really sorry for your loss my father died when he was 56 and i was still a young kid. i really hope that you can carry on his legacy and your family name. I know you have what it takes to be a great player in this league and we need you next season to put the pressure on qbs. if you step it up which i know you will we will have a great defensive year next year man keep up the hard work.
By Rick Carroll on Apr 9, 2010 | Reply
Sincere condolances. I lost my mother 2 years ago. Still not healed. And never will. Just have to hope they are in a better place, We will see them again. Kick some A Z Z for your father this season. Get 13 sacks.
By Aram on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
You are carrying on his legacy. He has influenced you so much and you can influnce others from what you’ve gained from your father all these years. God bless you.
By BIGGCHUGG on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
handle your business bradah…your pops wants to see you get 2 rings like him – do your thang homie. keep it 100 fasho
By Barry Gomes on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Time heals all things keep the faith close and it will sustain you through these hard times.I lost my father in 89 and I still have to remember the good times to get past the bad times.Good luck this year and remember it does get better each day.
By david on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
im sorry about your loss ahamd brooks,your a great player i enjoy watching you play on sunday.just know that your dad will be with you in spirt on and off the field.
By Mike on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
I’m very sorry to hear about your dad Ahmad. I couldn’t imagine what your going through. However, I’m really glad to see you’re returning to San Fran for the next couple of years. You were a big part to the core of that 3-4. I am going to enjoy watching you, Parys, Patrick and Manny tear s#*t up in 2010. Go 9ers!
By David Achiro on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Ahmed…. Sorry for the loss of your Dad. From what you said you really did love him and that is a good thing to keep in your heart. I loved watching you play last year…. You are nothing but awesome and I am glad the nIners have kept you around for two more years….. Now I can go purchase the shirt I wanted to purchase with your name and number 55. Take Care and may the wind be behind your back.
By Victor de Castro on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
They gave you a two(2) year contract while your dad gave twenty-six (26), so who’re you playing for – that’s right – now play your heart out and make him proud!
Let him hear our prayers w/ every grunt and he’ll know his son’s not letting him down.
By Big Ruben on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad Brooks will be onE of the leading backers in the NFL this year. COUNT ON IT!!
By TIM on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Sorry that you lost your Father. You are in my prayers.
Brooks said…we have a great coaching staff, a great organization and we have great players. Everything is first-class, and I like that.”
I am glad to hear that with Jed running the show and Sing running the team on the field that the Niners once again are thought of as a class organization !
By nick lavrov & isabel lavrov(daughter) on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
dear Mr Brooks my family and i would like to send our deepest condolances to you and your family. i never knew your father, but im am positive that he moved on in his journey proud of you and what you have accomplished. time speeds by so fast that we must appreciate every moment that we experience and share with our loved ones. my daughter and I live for sundays when the season is going, so that we may bring a positive and extremely loud presence to support you and your teammates. KNOW THAT YOUR DAD WILL BE WITH YOU ON EVERY SNAP, SMILING DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS AND TELLING ALL FRIENDS UP THERE “LOOK AT MY SON GO!”. Our thought and prayers are with you bro. keep up the great work and i need 10 sacks(at least ok?) sighning off sincereley, niner nick and isabel sec 49 row 18 seats 1&2.
By Terrell Williams on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Ahmed, though God called your father to come stand by his side, though the words of sorry about your loss can’t make things better. We the fans of San Francisco want to extend our hearts and love to you and your family. My God strengthen all of you and keep you together in his sights. Now play your game as if Dad is standing on the sideline. Division Champs
By basil on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Peace! from my family to yours ….
By jj on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
You the man Ahmad!!!!!! Ahmad is one of our players that will become an NFL star next year. Look out for Goldson, Alex Smith, Crabs and Morgan. WATCH.
By Jeff Marrone on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply
Ahamd, you have the great ability to add fire power to this defense!!!! Your father will lead you in your weaknesses and strengths, in both mind and soul! I was at the Seattle game in the stick and I had a chance to meet this lady wearing a Brooks jersey and she was sitting by herself glazing onto the football field with a proud posture! I walked up to her and shook her hand for giving us a such a stud football player! I also asked her how she got #55 Brooks, as I searched for one myself! She said ” Thats my baby out their”. She loves you very much!!!!!!! Good Luck this year
By Ed on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Hey Ahmad, so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers. God Bless you and praying that you gain strength and that your dad’s Spirit and Legacy lives through you.
By dellen on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Hey brooks thanks for signing with the 49ers again. 2010 and the 9ers are going to rock the nfc. Go niners
By bert g on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
god be with and ur family!!
this is a very painfull time and will not be easy but understand he loves u and is with u every momment of the rest of ur life watching and cheering, very proud!!!
best to u for the seasons to come!!!!
By huggieball on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad I lost my mother last year and my father 10 years ago. No one can understand how you feel but stay close to the right people and remember what your father taught you and you will be the son he was always proud of. Listen to Coach Singletary and he will get you to were you need to go. Good luck and be strong.
By Debraf on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Welcome back Ahmad! I am sorry hear about your father. I lost my dad 17 years ago. He is the reason that I am interested in sports and love football most of all. I think of him often whenever I am at a game and I am sure that memories of your dad will carry you through this and your career. Your other family will support you on the field and will be there for you spiritually as well. Take care Ahmad and Go Niners.
By NorCalDave on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad – So sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a parent is always difficult, I lost my mom and it was a very hard time for our family. Prayer will allow you to feel closer to him now and help you to focus in your daily life as well.
I hope you and your family the best and my prayers are with you this season.
As a life long 9er fan I feel you gouys are close to having a great year with a solid draft.
Go 9ers!!!!
By JapanNiner on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, hang in there and use your father’s memory to push you to even greater heights- NOT JUST AS A PLAYER, but as a person.
You are fast becoming one of my favorite players and I have seen ALL of the greatest 49ers of all-time. You showed pass rush skills I haven’t seen for the Niners since last year’s Hall Of Fall entry- FRED DEAN.
Good luck and God Speed !
By JapanNiner on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Sorry Ahmad, I meant Hall Of Fame !!
By JohnR on Apr 11, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, may The Lord continue to Bless you and your familly and strengthen and comfort you all through the lost of you father! I lost my father a young age bro! With that said, glad to have you back. Go out and help our 49ers dominate this season!!! God Bless you all..
Peace,
Johnny R.
By 4natedogg9er on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
sorry for your loss ahmad! and welcome back know youll have a great season keep ya head up man!
By its me on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
THE BEST SET OF LINEBACKERS IN THE NFL AND LOOK WHO WE HAVE HAS A COACH THE BEST L/B TO EVER PLAY 2010 #1 DEFENSE #11 IN OFFENSE REMEMBER I SAID THAT
By Rolando V on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
ahmad no words can ever heal the wounds of lost family. i know first hand. i do know that the more you remember the better. because you begin to smile at all the small moment you had with all the big ones. i respect you as a player and a man.
goodluck this season and ill be watching every minute along with the rest of the faithful.
god bless
rolando..
By Ray C on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
Hi Ahmad, sorry to hear about your Dad’s loss, I lost my Mom a couple weeks ago myself. Its really hard what you’re going through right now, but all i can say is stay strong and be postive, i know its not easy to loose any loved ones.
God Bless and more power to you, Go Niners 4ever!
By Same Boat on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
I know exactly how you feel as it sounds like you had a good relationship with your father.I still struggle with his loss at times as that is only normal.You’ll be fine.Keep his memories alive and just take it one day at a time.Loss mine a couple of years ago at the age of 60 just after his birthday.Stay strong man.And lets make that defense a top 5 this year!!!!!!!
By david Siierra on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
I FEEL YOU AHMAD BROOKS…MY DADDY DIED 6 YRS AGO….FOUND OUT 3 YRS AGO…HE LIVED IN TEXAS & I’M IN CALI…I KEEP HIM CLOSE & ALIVE BY SHARING ALL THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES WITH MY CHILDREN…..LOVE OUR 49ER TEAM…# 1 TO ME…BUT LIFE & LOVE ARE BIGGER THAN A GAME…GLAD U RESIGNED BRO…..BEEN DOWN FOR 49ERS SINCE 88 @ TENDER AGE OF 10….KEEP PUSHING & HOPE OUR FATHERS ARE BOTH SMILING & LOOKING DOWN ON US….GODBLESS…David Sierra outta Visalia Cali….
By Deb D on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, I’m so sorry for the loss of your father. Keep him in your heart and he will always be with you. I lost my father four years ago and think about him every single day. My thoughts will be with you and your family. Hang in there!
By Pastor Robertson on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
Hey Ahmad this is a man of God speaking to you, no-one knows how you feel, because it is you and everyone experience situations differently, but I would like to say that the hope for this life lies in the things that we see everyday, but know that Jesus Christ has given a much greater Hope. Where he says through the Apostle Paul absent from the body means that we will be present with the Lord. I will be praying for you and your family. May this year prove to be the best year you have ever had, which will be an indicater of many more to come. I am very encouraged that you decided to sign with the 49ers again
Gods strength continued blessing on your life.
By L Brown on Apr 12, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad
I understand your spirit. Let that be your guide to continued success. You have the ability and great tools for a Hall of Fame career. Your father gave it you.
You see I lost my Dad last year to Alzheimers. What we had before that was remarkable and continues on .
Stay true and strong.
Thank you for continuing on as a Forty-Niner.
Peace
By Alex32 on Apr 13, 2010 | Reply
I would like to re-evaluate my draft for the niners. I believe our offense is going to do exceptional and we shouldnt aim for cj spiller and i’ll explain furthermore throughout this. I think we need the defense because we were horrible in the category of pass defense which could’ve helped us a lot throughout the year. We should use our 13th pick for Joe Haden and our 17th pick for Earl Thomas if he is available. If Joe Haden is gone then we can pick up CJ Spiller but the 49ers NEED TO AT LEAST pick up Thomas or Haden if they are there. Our O-line is said to need a lot of work but i think we are fine because you don’t need all big name o-line men you just need chemistry which i think they got. Staley and heitmann are the heart of the O-line and rachal needs to improve with his tenacity but remember he’s going to improve with experience and i believe we will have a top 10 rushing attack next year and a top 15 passing attack because throughout the year we found out we have a pretty sick passing game and we already knew we had a nasty backfield with Gore and coffee can only get better. So to sum things up we should go Defense in the 1st round and o-line in 2nd, 4th, and 5th round for depth because this draft is expected to be one of the best with the d-line and o-line depth. Also we should think about picking up a “Darren Sproles” with our 3rd round pick in Deter McCluster because we need a much better kick/punt returner (i wish we would’ve kept korey sheets lol). PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS BC IM JUST A DIE HARD LIKE ALL OF YOU HERE WHO IS READY FOR THE GLORY DAYS TO COME BACK SO DON’T BE TOO HARSH BUT PLEASE DO STATE YOUR OPINION.
PS. Ahmad you got this yo…you with the 9ers so you can get through anything with your 2nd fam so lets use this tough time as motivation and get this team into the playoffs with your wicked pressure u bring
By Paul on Apr 14, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, I echo the others in saying that I am really sorry for your loss. I know it’s tough losing your father, and I wish you and your family the best. I watched your dad play pro football,and, I watched you play high school football at C.D. Hylton in Dale City, VA, and in college. I am not exaggerating when I say you are the best high school player I have ever watched and I’ve watched a ton of h.s. football in my years. I was thrilled when you originally signed with my niners, and am thrilled that you have re-signed. I hope you have the best year of your career. Good luck to you, and GO Niners!
By Victor de Castro on Apr 14, 2010 | Reply
God bless and God speed you to the opposing quarterback. Who loves you Ahmad? And so we pray with you!!!
By DEACON KEVMO on Apr 14, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad,
your dad was of my closest friend. just like you and the rest of the family was devastated with his early homegoing, so was I. as I headed home after speaking with you I reflected on one of my favorite scriptures which describes the relationship we had Proverbs 27:17 as Iron sharpens Iron so a man sharpens the character of his friend. It’s no secret to anyone of the influence Perry had on my Life. he was no respecter of person meaning it didn’t matter who you were he would always treat any and everyone with respect. He always spoke proudly of you as well as both your siblings. and then there was a special calmness that came over him with the birth of your daughter. I have known your father since 1995. he was my friend, my brother, and my mentor. I miss him dearly. we shared a lot of laughs and some painful times. when he had to stay in the hospital when you were with the bengals he called me and we had a word of prayer. Perry was someone I shared my fears, sorrows, shortcomings, and celebrations with. He invited me to come see you play down at UVA and I had to decline because I had to work. and when he got back he explained to me cause he knew I sometimes put my job before my family. He said Kevin you need to take time out to spend with my family before look around and find that all my children have grown up and I have missed out on the most important part of their lives. and always made sure he asked me about them as we shared our experiences of raising our kids. I know that the two of you were extremely close, he told me he initially wanted to name the Barber shop after you. this past Good FridayI preached on the seventh saying of Christ on the cross and I closed with a personal tribute to Perry and this is what I said: Recently, one of my closest friends died. He was a member of the body of Christ. You say, how did he die Deacon Morris? Oh, I can tell you how he died, what caused his death. But let me tell you how he really died, he died powerfully because he was serving God. He had committed his life to God. He died with a smile on his face. He died with a song in his heart. He died with peace. He died knowing that his life was making a difference in the lives of little children. It was making a difference in the lives of men and women. That is how he died. Because that is how he lived. And he died just like he lived. and now my friend is in glory rejoicing with Jesus for giving him a prayerful, peaceful, and powerful life of service for God because he decided to deposit his life in the hands of God.
I just wanted to share my thoughts and feels with you and the family. Perry is in a better place, looking down on us encouraging us to continue giving are best efforts in making this world a better place just like he was doing before God called him home to Glory.
By Petey on Apr 14, 2010 | Reply
first off i just wanted to say my thoughts n prayers are wit u n ur family….my father passed away last year on MARCH 2ND n he was only 56….pretty much identical to ur father! keep ur head up brooks!!! the team aint ur only family the fans are too!!!! we love all ya’ll!!!! god is always wit u!!! one love!
By Saeed on Apr 16, 2010 | Reply
May your father rest in peace and your family endure healing ! GOD BLESS YOU !!!!!!!
By RickH on Apr 17, 2010 | Reply
Ahmad, I worked with your dad for 8 years in VA. He was a great man and I will always remember him. I met you when you went to Hylton and your dad was so proud. He had something to say about you every day. I was devastated with the news. I will pray for you and I have been following your career from Hylton to UVA to Cincinnati and now the 9ers. I always teased Perry that you would get picked in the draft by the Cowboys. He and I would go back and forth. I’m happy that you are successful and he is definitely watching over you. To your future…………Rick H
By jay-ward on Apr 26, 2010 | Reply
Im Sorry to hear about your loss Ahmad , I also lost my Father at 4yrs old. I am now 30 yrs old and my dad died of Lou Gehrigs’s disease. My prayers are with you brutha…!!!