Ravens Assistant Coach Clarence Brooks Passes Away
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Clarence Brooks "C.B." the Baltimore Ravens' longest-tenured assistant coach, passed away Saturday morning at the age of 65.
He died after battling esophageal and stomach cancer. He joined the organization in 2005 and served 11 seasons as defensive line coach.
Brooks was a 24-year NFL coaching veteran and one of six assistant coaches retained by head coach John Harbaugh upon his 2008 Baltimore arrival.
During Brooks' Baltimore tenure as defensive line coach (2005-15), the Ravens allowed the NFL's fewest rushing touchdowns (89), second-fewest points per game (18.9) and the league's second-fewest rushing yards per game (94.2).
In each of Brooks' first seven full seasons in Baltimore (2005-11), the Ravens' defense ranked in the Top 10 in total yards allowed. During his second year (2006), the defense ranked No. 1 (264.1 ypg), while finishing second overall in 2008 (261.1 ypg).
Brooks' defensive line helped the Ravens become the only team to rank among the NFL's Top 5 in red zone defense in 10 of the past 12 seasons (2004-15).
Brooks played guard at the University of Massachusetts from 1970-72 and was a team captain in his final season. He earned All-Conference and All-East honors on the offensive line before graduating with a bachelor's degree in sociology. Born in New York City on May 20, 1951, Brooks attended New Bedford High School in Massachusetts, where he lettered in football and track and field.
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