Reggie Brown (wide receiver, born 1970)

Last updated

Reggie Brown
No. 17, 89
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1970-05-05) May 5, 1970 (age 54)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Miami Central
(West Little River, Florida)
College: Alabama State (1988–1991)
Undrafted: 1992
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:8
Receptions:6
Receiving yards:64
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Reginald Alonzo Brown (born May 5, 1970) is an American educator and former professional football player. A wide receiver, he was a standout athlete for the Alabama State Hornets, where he was a black college national champion, and later played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers. Following his football career, he became a teacher and school principal.

Contents

Early life and college

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, 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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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Reggie Brown Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  2. "Track". The Orlando Sentinel . May 16, 1988. p. 4 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. "Reggie Brown Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  4. 1 2 3 Johnston, Jim (August 23, 1990). "ASU receiver's rapid recovery nothing short of medical 'miracle'". Alabama Journal . p. 11 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. 1 2 3 4 "@BamaStateSports Enshrines 17 into 2K22 Hall of Fame Class". Alabama State Hornets. November 11, 2022.
  6. Bourke, Brian (December 12, 1991). "Playing in Heritage Bowl 'dream of a lifetime' for five Hornets". The Montgomery Advertiser . p. 13, 18 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. 1 2 Wyche, Steve (December 21, 1991). "N.C A&T is flexible on wing-T". The Miami Herald . p. 228 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. 1 2 Hepburn, Roger (September 3, 1989). "Hornets go 'Downtown' for 16-13 Showdown win". The Montgomery Advertiser . p. 57 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Reggie Brown NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives.
  10. "Oilers release 19 from team roster". Corpus Christi Caller-Times . Associated Press. August 25, 1992. p. 23 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. Sims, Kelvin (September 5, 1993). "ASU's 'Bomb Squad' explodes onto scene". The Montgomery Advertiser . p. 35 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Reggie Brown Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  13. Lutz, Michael A. (July 27, 1994). "Brown is catching on with soft hands". Austin American-Statesman . Associated Press. p. 34 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. "Reggie Brown NFL Game Logs". Pro Football Archives.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Ballard, Moriah; Turner, Re'Chelle (February 16, 2022). "From the NFL to the classroom: 1st Black principal at Dulles Middle School uses experiences to show students importance of education". KPRC-TV.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. 1 2 3 "Dr. Reginald Brown". Fort Bend Independent School District.