Ronnie Brown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ronnie Brown

Brown with the San Diego Chargers in 2012
No. 23, 34, 30, 22
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1981-12-12) December 12, 1981 (age 43) Cartersville, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	223 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:	Cartersville (GA)
College:	Auburn (2000–2004)
NFL Draft:	2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
Career history
Miami Dolphins (2005–2010) Philadelphia Eagles (2011) San Diego Chargers (2012–2013) Houston Texans (2014) San Diego Chargers (2014)
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowl (2008) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2005) First-team All-SEC (2004) Second-team All-SEC (2002) Citrus Bowl MVP (2003)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 1,281 Rushing yards: 5,391 Rushing touchdowns: 38 Receptions: 246 Receiving yards: 1,966 Receiving touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Ronnie G. Brown Jr. (born December 12, 1981) is an American former professional football player. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL).

After finishing high school in Cartersville, Georgia, Brown went to Auburn University. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers. He often shared playing time with another running back, Cadillac Williams. In 2002, Brown ran for 1,008 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He added 446 yards and five touchdowns in 2003, and 913 yards and eight touchdowns in 2004.

Brown ended his college career with 2,707 rushing yards, which was seventh-most in Auburn history. He also scored 28 rushing touchdowns, ranking fifth. He was recognized as a second-team All-Southeastern Conference player in both 2002 and 2004.

The Miami Dolphins picked Brown as the second overall player in the 2005 NFL draft. He started as a running back for the Dolphins in his first four weeks. He later shared carries with Ricky Williams. In 2006, Brown became the main running back. He missed three games that year due to a broken hand.

In 2007, Brown played in seven games before a knee injury ended his season. He shared carries again in 2008 and had a great year with 916 yards and ten touchdowns. This earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. In 2009, a foot injury caused him to miss the rest of the season. Brown rushed for 734 yards and five touchdowns in 2010, playing all 16 games. After six years with the Dolphins, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.

Early Life and High School Football

Ronnie Brown grew up in Georgia. He went to Cartersville High School. There, he was a starter on the football team for three years. During his high school career, he ran for an impressive 4,936 yards. He also scored 12 touchdowns.

College Football Career

Ronnie Brown on the sideline at the 2004 Auburn vs. Georgia game.

After high school, Brown went to Auburn University. He studied communications there. He played for coach Tommy Tuberville's Auburn Tigers football team from 2000 to 2004. At Auburn, he teamed up with Carnell Williams. Together, they formed a strong running duo. Brown spent his first year as a "redshirt" player, meaning he played in only two games and then took a year to practice and develop without using up a year of eligibility.

In 2001, Brown played in 10 games. He was third on the team with 330 rushing yards. He also caught seven passes for 109 yards. His best season was in 2002. He ran for a career-high 1,008 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 166 yards and one touchdown.

In 2003, Williams was healthy and played more. Brown's rushing yards dropped to 446 yards. He scored five touchdowns that year. In 2004, Brown shared duties with Williams again. He started seven games. With quarterback Jason Campbell, they led the team to a perfect 13–0 record. Brown gained 913 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 313 yards and a touchdown.

Even though he started only 21 of 47 games, Brown finished his college career with great numbers. He had 2,707 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 58 passes for 668 yards and two touchdowns. In 2020, Ronnie Brown was honored by being added to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

College Statistics Overview

Professional Football Career

Ronnie Brown was a top player coming out of college. He was picked second overall in the 2005 NFL draft. The Miami Dolphins chose him. Another running back from Auburn, Carnell Williams, was also picked early in the draft.

Miami Dolphins Years

Brown started his NFL career with the Dolphins. He missed some training camp due to contract talks. In his first two weeks, he ran for 93 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 3, he rushed for 132 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown. He continued to play well in Week 4. In Week 5, he began sharing carries with Ricky Williams. Brown finished his first season with 907 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown.

In 2006, Brown became the main running back for the Dolphins. The team's offense had some challenges that year. However, Brown had a great game against the New York Jets, rushing for 127 yards. Three weeks later, he ran for a career-high 157 yards against the Chicago Bears. This helped the Dolphins win against the previously undefeated Bears. On Thanksgiving Day, Brown broke his left hand in a game. He missed three games but returned for the last two. He had over 100 rushing yards in both of those games. In 13 games, Brown finished with 1,008 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

In 2007, Brown injured his knee in Week 7. This injury ended his season early. At the time, he was leading the league in total yards from scrimmage. Before the 2008 season, Tony Sparano announced that Ricky Williams would start. But Brown became the starter again before the third game. He was a key part of the Dolphins' "Wildcat formation" offense. In one game, he rushed for 117 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass. Brown had a strong 2008 season with 916 rushing yards.

Ronnie Brown moves past 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis at the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Brown was chosen for the 2009 Pro Bowl as a reserve running back. In the 2009 season, Brown played in nine games. He carried the ball 148 times for 648 yards. He also scored eight rushing touchdowns. He caught 14 passes for 98 yards. In Week 11, Brown hurt his right foot. This injury caused him to miss the rest of the season. In 2010, Brown signed a new contract with the Dolphins.

Philadelphia Eagles

On August 2, 2011, Brown signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles tried to trade Brown to the Detroit Lions later that year. The trade would have involved Jerome Harrison and a draft pick. However, the trade was canceled because Harrison did not pass his physical exam with the Eagles.

San Diego Chargers (First Time)

Brown signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers on June 8, 2012. He started the first game of the season because the main running back, Ryan Mathews, was injured. Brown became the team's third-down back. On January 5, 2014, Brown helped the Chargers win a playoff game. He had a 58-yard touchdown run against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans signed Brown on August 11, 2014. He played in three games for them. He was released by the Texans on October 1, 2014.

San Diego Chargers (Second Time)

On October 7, 2014, Brown returned to the San Diego Chargers. This happened after several Chargers running backs got injured. Donald Brown had a concussion. Danny Woodhead was out for the season with an ankle injury. Ryan Mathews also had a knee injury.

Ronnie Brown played in seven games for the Chargers in the 2014 season. In a game against the San Francisco 49ers, he played a big role in an overtime win. In overtime, he carried the ball six times in a row. This helped the Chargers get into position for the winning field goal. After the season, the Chargers did not offer him a new contract.

NFL Career Statistics