Career
He competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, placing seventh in the long jump. Representing the University of Chicago, Brooks placed second behind Lambert Redd at the 1932 National Collegiate Athletic Association championships with a season-best jump of 25 ft 2 3⁄4 in (769 m). He placed fourth with a leap of 24 ft 10 5⁄8 in (758 m) at the 1932 United States Olympic Trials, missing qualifying for the 1932 Summer Olympics by one place.
He placed third at the Amateur Athletic Union meet in 1934 and 1935.
He set his lifetime best, 25 ft 5 1⁄2 in (776 m), at the 1935 championships. At the 1936 Olympic Trials Brooks placed second behind Owens with a jump of 25 ft 3 3⁄8 in (770 m), making the American team for the Olympic Games in Berlin.
He placed seventh in the Olympic final, reaching a wind-aided 7.41 m (24 ft 3 3⁄4 in) on his best attempt. Brooks took second at the Amateur Athletic Union meet in 1937, his final podium appearance.
In addition to his own career, Brooks had a role in coaching Tidye Pickett, the first African-American woman to compete in the Olympic Games.
