Ahmad Brooks On His Big Contract Extension From 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday that they have signed linebacker Ahmad Brooks to a six-year extension, thus ensuring that one of the key contributors to their much-feared defense will remain with the team through at least 2017.

"It's been a long, long journey for me. I guess being one of the top prospects coming out of college and then seeing that dream shattered, and then I had to go through the supplemental draft and go through that whole process. I got drafted in the third round, was supposed to be a first round draft pick and let that slip through my hands. I was with the Bengals for two years, then got released, then the 49ers picked me up and I was an inside linebacker. I was coming off an injury my second year, then the 49ers picked me up my third year so my whole third year in the NFL I didn't play not one snap, I just pretty much practiced so it was kind of like a blessing in disguise to be picked up by the San Francisco and for me to still be getting paid as if I were playing every week and being able to get back on track after an injury because I had injured both of my groins, I had tore both of my groins so just pretty much getting back into football shape and doing football drills and stuff like that. My fourth year I had a chance to become a second team guy coming in on third downs and rushing the passer. That's when I had three sacks against the Arizona Cardinals. My fifth season pretty much was in the same position. I wanted to be the starter but I had an injury in training camp that set me back and didn't put me in the starting lineup. This past year I took off. I told myself I wanted to focus on becoming a starter and then once I become a starter, stay a starter and to make as many plays as I can. I made the best of my opportunity and I'm happy to be in the position that I'm in right now.

"It's fun in the locker room, it's fun in practice, we joke around a lot, and it's kind of like we're brothers and that's what makes it so special. The coaches feed off it too. They get jacked up seeing guys having fun. Not just at the game but in practice. You see Coach Harbaugh having fun and guys feed off that energy. It's a great place to be in and I'm just so happy to be here man."