Read About This NFL Player's Spring Nuptials
to Beautiful Wife Holly Ingram
By Andrea Haney
Photos by Denis Reggie

Atlanta Falcons' Keith Brooking has proven his athletic talent. The first round pick was drafted in 1998 by the Atlanta Falcons , has made four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, holds countless records in tackles and has been coined NFC Defensive Player of the Week in numerous seasons. If that weren't enough, the Georgia native and Georgia Tech graduate now has beautiful wife Holly to attribute to his success. In April 2005, Brooking heard more than just whistles and screaming fans--he heard wedding bells. Here we reveal a softer side of him, and show you how the smartest play of his life was made off the field.

In August 2003 Keith Brooking and Holly Ingram's lives changed. Ingram's cousin Ginger Parris and former Falcon Chris Mohr decided to play matchmaker. After convincing Brooking to call Ingram, the two arranged to meet in Miami, where Ingram was currently teaching sixth grade and dancing for the Miami Heat . Brooking and best friend/sports agent Bill Johnson conveniently planned a golf trip to Florida that weekend.

"I was really nervous, but I knew if I took Bill with me to meet Holly and her friend there wouldn't be a dull moment," Brooking says. "I knew immediately when I saw her that she was the one for me."

Although the couple hit it off instantly, their relationship developed somewhat slowly. After many phone conversations and visits back and forth, the couple couldn't deny their love. Finally, Ingram made the move to Atlanta.

In November 2004 Ingram traveled to Denver to watch Brooking take on the Broncos . After the game the two took separate flights and made plans to meet at the airport and ride home together. When Ingram arrived, the limo driver informed her that Brooking's flight had been delayed due to the weather. Instead of taking her home, the driver insisted they sit and wait for the plane to arrive. Three hours later the bus pulled up.

"I was so irritable and didn't understand why the driver wouldn't just take me home!" Ingram says.

"When I got in the limo I knew Holly was upset and ready to go home," Brooking adds. "I apologized, calmed her down and anticipated what was about to happen."

At 3 a.m. the tired pair walked through the front door. Here they found hundreds of lit candles and rose petals. Ingram smiled and thanked Brooking for having the place decorated for their homecoming. After leading Ingram upstairs to more candles and a rose petal bath, Brooking got down on one knee and, as he describes, "poured his heart out."

"I couldn't believe it," Ingram says. "I thought he was just thanking me for everything I'd done for him for his birthday--I had no idea what was going on."

"I was going for the surprise factor," Brooking says. "I knew if I proposed during the season after a game she would never expect it. I had my mom decorate the house and hide the ring in a cowboy boot in my closet."

After what ended up being a very long night, the couple began calling their friends and families to tell them the good news.

"We immediately began making our guest list because we knew we wanted to get married in Keith's off season," Ingram says.

On April 15, 2005 the couple and their loved ones gathered at The Ritz Carlton, Atlanta for a sumptuous rehearsal dinner. Because several of their guests were from out of town, the hotel provided luxury accommodations, as well as a gathering place for the weekend's festivities.

The following day Ingram and Brooking were married at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Ga. Ingram was escorted down the long center aisle in a stunning, ivory Reem Acra gown. Her six bridesmaids wore beautiful, floor-length, two-piece dresses in celadon green. Sister and maid-of-honor Heather Ingram and matron-of-honor Jennifer Menendez supported the bride. Keith's brother Kevin served as best man. Country sensation Trick Pony serenaded the couple and their guests with "God Bless Our Love."

After the ceremony the newlyweds shared a romantic carriage ride one block away to The Biltmore. The striking Georgian Ballroom provided the perfect setting for the couple's fairytale reception.

"I knew when I saw the room it was exactly what I wanted," Ingram says. "From the beautiful columns and chandeliers to the celadon green color trimmed in gold--I based everything off that room."

Thanks to florist and decorator Al Woods of Warthen Lane Interiors, the reception was picture perfect. Countless topiaries, wreaths, ferns, green apples and pink peonies and kalanchoes adorned the gorgeous space.

Atlanta's Classic Cheesecakes and Cakes created a magnificent ivory and soft pink six-tier confection edged in gold. The cake contained a decadent butter cream and raspberry filling. The bride's Aunt Maye created a delicious German chocolate, basket weave groom's cake.

The Falcons ' band "Legacy" provided entertainment. The couple shared their first dance as husband and wife to Etta James' "At Last."

They sent their guests home with a box of fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

After celebrating their nuptials the newlyweds were whisked away in a luxurious Rolls Royce. The following morning they enjoyed a beautiful brunch with their friends and family at The Ritz Carlton.

In lieu of a honeymoon requiring extensive travel, the couple spent five very relaxing, romantic days at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, a quaint resort in South Carolina, just north of Savannah, Ga.   

"After planning the wedding, having six showers and with Keith just returning from the Pro Bowl in Hawaii we wanted to stay close by," Ingram says.

The couple is extremely excited about their future.

"Holly is my best friend," Brooking says. "I learn something everyday from her. She is extremely intelligent, appreciative and down to earth."

As for children, they both say, "definitely."

"We want at least four," Ingram says.

"I look forward to Holly being the mother of our children," Brooking adds.

Despite the couple's plans to start a family, they are both very active in their professional lives. However this doesn't stop them from spending as much time together as possible.

"Keith is only gone 10 times out of the year and most of the time I travel to see him play," Ingram explains.

She is currently running and working with the executive director of The Keith Brooking Children's Foundation, designed to benefit foster children.  

"Keith has done so much and despite his success he is so humble," Ingram says. "Married life is easy--we're mature and we love knowing we'll be there for each other everyday."