As part of the celebration of Black History Month, the Bolts organization is highlighting the impact of former Chargers throughout February.
Sid Brooks spent nearly three decades as the Chargers equipment manager, holding that role from 1973 to 2000.
He also exemplified a lifetime of service, always looking to help others before himself, and was viewed as a pioneer who was ahead of his time.
Brooks was among the Pro Football Hall of Fame winners for the inaugural Awards of Excellence in 2022, a testament to his forward-thinking ability with the Bolts.
Colored facemasks? Colored shoes? Jersey numbers with three colors? Form-fitting shoulder pads?
Brooks is credited for co-creating them all to help modernize the game of football to what it is today.
Brooks, one of the five equipment managers honored by the Hall of Fame in 2022, developed strong bonds with Hall of Famers Dan Fouts and Junior Seau, as well as former Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries.
His wife, Geraldine, told the San Diego Union-Tribune after Brooks' passing in 2007 that he live every day to the fullest in the NFL.
"He enjoyed himself every day of his life. He was fun, and he made other people have fun at his job," Geraldine Brooks said. "He was genuinely interested in people and he showed that to them."
Brooks' life of service included 20 years in U.S. Air Force where he earned the rank of senior master sergeant.
Brooks, who served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supervised the Cadet Athletic Supply Branch at the Air Force Academy, and was awarded numerous service medals, including Most Outstanding Airman of the Year honors in 1970 and 1972.
He was also the chairman of the 1971 AAU Junior Olympics while stationed at the Air Force Academy.
Upon relocating to San Diego, Brooks made an impact on that community, too, by getting involved in various civic projects and serving as a drug education volunteer.
A father to three sons and a daughter, he was named 1999 Father of the Year by the San Diego Father's Day Council.
Brooks worked for USC athletics from 2000 to 2005 before his passing in 2007.
