Indianapolis—Former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett will provide the keynote address Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the 22nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration at the Indiana Statehouse.
Brackett, who was defensive captain for the 2007 Super Bowl winning Indianapolis Colts, will highlight the State of Indiana’s annual Dr. King program themed “Living in the footsteps of a King.”
“We are honored to have Gary at the program to share the influence Dr. King has had on his life,” said Indiana Civil Rights Commission’s Executive Director Jamal Smith. “His rise to one of the best defensive players in the NFL is truly inspiring.”
A walk-on at Rutgers University, Brackett was named defensive captain and an all-conference selection as a senior. After going undrafted, the Colts signed the middle linebacker as a free agent in 2003. During the next 17 months, Brackett would lose his mother, older brother and father to various illnesses.
The more I tell my story, the more others can know they’re not alone in dealing with tough times,” said Brackett during an interview with ESPN in 2007. “Talking about my parents and brother helped me get through the pain.”
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces the Indiana civil rights laws and provides education and services to the public in an effort to ensure equal opportunity for all Hoosiers and visitors to the State of Indiana. For more information on the Indiana Civil Rights Commission visit: www.in.gov/icrc.