Jasper Brinkley

Jasper Jerrell Brinkley (born July 12, 1985) is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of South Carolina. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of 2009 NFL Draft (150 overall).

Brinkley started at middle-linebacker due to the injury of E. J. Henderson during the 2009 season. Henderson seriously injured his leg against the Arizona Cardinals in week 13, and was out the remainder of the season. Brinkley has had a very close, apprentice-like relationship with Henderson who mentored him as a rookie throughout training camp and his first professional season, even quizzing him while watching film together. His twin brother, Casper Brinkley, played for the Carolina Panthers but is no longer with the team.

College career
Brinkley played college football at South Carolina as junior college transfers from Georgia Military College alongside his twin brother Casper. He started 29 of 30 games. He finished his career with 298 total tackles, 27.5 sacks, 30.5 tackles for a loss and 10 interceptions. As a senior, Brinkley captured All-SEC 1st-team honors as he started all but 1 game for the Gamecocks and ranked 2nd on the squad with 73 tackles.

Minnesota Vikings
After the end of the 2008 season, Brinkley was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and was a participant at the 2009 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He was selected by the Vikings in the 5th round of 2009 NFL Draft (150th overall), on June 30 Brinkley signed a 4 year contract with Minnesota. Brinkley projected to serve as the backup to E. J. Henderson at middle linebacker. His spot on the depth chart was confirmed when Henderson went down with an injury to his femur after a collision with teammate Jamarca Sanford in week 13 at Arizona. Brinkley stepped into the game in the fourth quarter, recording five tackles for negative 4 yards on Arizona running back Tim Hightower.

On December 13, 2009 (week 14), Brinkley made his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals. He recorded 7 tackles en route to a 30-10 victory over the Bengals.

On December 20 (week 15), Brinkley started against the Carolina Panthers in a devastating 7-26 loss. He performed admirably, recording 12 tackles (including 5 tackles of Panther's running-back Jonathan Stewart: a 14 yard loss, a tackle for no gain, and another for only a 1 yard gain) and 2 forced fumbles, the first of his career.

On December 28 against the Chicago Bears, the Vikings suffered a crushing 36-30 loss - their second in a row to a team that was not in playoff contention. Brinkley had 9 tackles, helping the defense to hold Chicago running-back Matt Forte to only 52 yards.

On November 16, 2012, Brinkley was fined $21,000 for a hit to the head against the Detroit Lions.

Arizona Cardinals
Brinkley signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 14, 2013.