Brown was born on May 5, 1970, in Miami, Florida.[1] He attended Miami Central High School where he played football and ran track.[1][2] He enrolled at Alabama State University in 1988 and began playing for the Alabama State Hornets football team.[3] In 1989, as a sophomore, he caught 35 receptions for 614 yards; he scored the game-winning touchdown in the team's season-opener.[4] However, in November, against Mississippi Valley State, he suffered a severe knee injury, tearing three ligaments and requiring reconstructive surgery.[4] His coach, Houston Markham, initially thought Brown's career was over – Brown stated that "[My doctor] said a lot of people never even walk right again" after that kind of injury – but he rapidly recovered in what was described as "nothing short of miraculous", being ready in time to begin the 1990 season.[4]
When Brown returned in the 1990 season, he totaled 48 catches for 815 yards and eight touchdowns.[5] He remained a starter as a senior in 1991 and became the school's all-time leading receiver.[6][7] He helped the team reach the Heritage Bowl where they defeated the North Carolina A&T Aggies, capping off an undefeated season with the Hornets being named black college national champions.[5][7] He ended his collegiate career with 132 catches for 2,271 yards and 23 touchdowns; as of 2022 he still was second all-time in school history for career receptions, one behind Reggie Barlow.[5]
Brown also was a high-jumper for the college track team.[8] He was nicknamed "Downtown Reggie Brown".[8]
Professional career
After going unselected in the 1992 NFL draft, Brown signed with the Houston Oilers on May 26, 1992, as an undrafted free agent.[9] He was released as part of the team's roster cuts, on August 24, 1992.[10] He was signed to the Oilers' practice squad on September 25, where he remained for the rest of the season; he was re-signed in 1993.[9] Brown ultimately made the final roster for the 1993 season.[11] He made his NFL debut in the season-opener, being targeted once in a loss to the New Orleans Saints, then being inactive for the next two games.[12] In Week 4, against the Los Angeles Rams, he was targeted twice and caught one pass for 26 yards in the loss.[12] He caught one further pass against the New England Patriots in Week 7, saw limited playing time in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and then was inactive for the rest of the year.[12]
Brown was in a position to see more playing time in 1994 after an injury to starter Gary Wellman.[13] He began the season with a career-high four catches for 34 yards against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1; he also scored his only career points on a two-point conversion.[14] However, he then caught no passes in Week 2, did not play in Week 3, and after recording no catches in Week 3 or Week 4, was inactive for the rest of the season.[12] He was placed on injured reserve on December 23.[9] Brown became a free agent after the season, on February 17, 1995, but re-signed on July 23, only to be released on August 27, 1995, after which he retired.[9] An injury contributed to his retirement.[15] He ended his career with six receptions for 64 yards in eight games played.[1]
Later life
Brown is married to Dr. Tammy Brown, and they have six daughters.[16] After his football career, he returned to school; he has a Bachelor of Science in business and office administration from Alabama State, a Master of Education in school counseling and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Liberty University.[16] He received training from the University of Texas in restorative discipline practices and became a special education teacher and school principal.[16]As of 2022[update], he was the principal at Dulles Middle School in Texas, part of the Fort Bend Independent School District.[15] He was the school's first African-American principal.[15]
Brown is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.[15] He was inducted into the Alabama State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.[5]
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