Nicknamed “Dr. Doom”, Robert Brazile terrified defenses for years. A Consensus All-American from Jackson State University, Brazile was drafted in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers with a sixth overall pick. Brazile found immediate successful playing with the Oilers. In his rookie season with the Oilers, he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1975, numerous all-rookie teams and earned the recognition of his peers as the game’s top linebacker. Brazile was a leading force on an Oilers defense that helped the team to three consecutive 10-win seasons and two AFC title appearances (1978 & 1979). During the 1978 season, he recorded a career-best of 185 tackles and nine tackles and one fumble recovery at the 1978 AFC Championship game. Throughout his 10-year career with the Oilers, Brazile started 147 consecutive games; a franchise record by the time of his retirement. He finished his career with a total of 13 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, 48 sacks, and 1,128 tackles; the second most in Oilers’ history. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for seven consecutive seasons. He was named to six consecutive All-Pro teams (first and second teams) from 1976 to 1981. He is a member of the league’s 1970s All-Decade Team. Brazile was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
