On Wednesday, veteran defensive back Cariel Brooks announced his retirement from the CFL after a six-year career. He spent five seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and one season with the Ottawa Redblacks.
Cariel Brooks is five foot ten and weighs 200 pounds. The 32-year-old from Miami, Florida, made 22 tackles, one sack, one interception, and one touchdown in ten games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023. The Redblacks signed Brooks as a free agent on February 14, 2023.
Before Ottawa, Brooks signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He spent the 2015 season on the practice squad. In 2017, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts but was released and later signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Brooks made 33 tackles, one tackle on special teams, one forced fumble, and one interception in 11 games.
Brooks played five seasons in Hamilton with 205 tackles, two tackles on special teams, two sacks, 12 interceptions, and four forced fumbles in 70 games.
The Tiger-Cats signed Brooks as a free agent on August 8, 2017. During his time as a member of the Ticats, Brooks helped Hamilton reach two Grey Cup title games. He was named a CFL All-Star in 2021 and a two-time CFL East All-Star (2018, 2021).
Collegiately, Brooks played two seasons at Pasadena Community College (201-12) making 45 tackles (34 solo, 11 assists), one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in eight games for the Lancers.
Then, he transferred to Adams State (2013-14) with 78 tackles (61 solo, 17 assists), half a tackle for loss, six interceptions for 35 yards, one touchdown, 30 pass breakups, and two carries for 34 yards in 21 games for the Grizzlies.
