Troy Brown facts for kids

Troy Fitzgerald Brown (born July 2, 1971) is an American football coach and former player. He is currently a coach for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL). Troy Brown played for 15 seasons as a wide receiver and return specialist, spending his entire career with the Patriots.

He played college football at Marshall University. The Patriots picked him in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft. During his time with the Patriots, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 2001. He was also a key player on the team that won their first three Super Bowl championships. After retiring as a player, Brown returned to the Patriots as an offensive coach in 2020. He was honored by being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2012.

Early Life and High School Football

Troy Brown grew up in Blackville, South Carolina. When he was younger, some people thought he was too small to play football. He was only 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 135 pounds.

Despite this, he played football and ran track in high school. His high school team won a state championship in 1988 with an amazing 14 wins and only 1 loss.

College Football Career

Before joining Marshall University, Brown went to Lees–McRae College. At Marshall University, he became a fantastic wide receiver and a great player at returning punts and kickoffs.

In 1991, he led the Division I-AA (a college football league) in both kickoff and punt return averages. That same year, he and his quarterback, Todd Donnan, made a record-tying 99-yard pass play.

The next year, in 1992, Marshall won its first national championship. Troy Brown was their main wide receiver and returner. In the championship game, he made a game-winning play by intercepting a "Hail Mary" pass from the other team in the final seconds.

Troy Brown still holds an NCAA record for his career kickoff return average. He also scored a touchdown about every eight times he touched the football! In 2006, Marshall University gave him a special award for being a distinguished former student.

Troy Brown's NFL Journey

The Patriots picked Troy Brown in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He was the 198th player chosen overall. He was briefly let go by the team in 1994 but was quickly re-signed.

He started playing more as a wide receiver in 1995. In 1996, the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl, and Troy Brown helped them get there. By 1997, he was catching a lot of passes and scoring touchdowns. In 1998, he also started returning punts again.

Becoming a Star Player

In 2000, Troy Brown became a full-time starter. He had a great year with 83 catches. The 2001 season was even better. He and quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots to their first-ever Super Bowl championship!

That year, Brown set a team record with 101 catches and earned his only trip to the Pro Bowl. He was also amazing at returning punts, leading the league with 14.2 yards per return. He even returned two punts for touchdowns during the regular season.

In the playoffs that year, during the AFC Championship Game, he returned a punt for a touchdown that helped the Patriots win. He also made another special play by scooping up a blocked field goal and lateraling it to a teammate for another touchdown!

Versatility on the Field

Troy Brown was known for being very versatile. In 2004, even though he had fewer catches, he played defense when needed. He was second on the team in interceptions, showing he could play both offense and defense!

In 2005, the Patriots released him for a short time due to salary reasons, but he chose to sign back with them, even though another team offered him more money. This showed his loyalty to the Patriots.

By 2007, he was one of the longest-playing Patriots ever. He is the Patriots' all-time leader in punt returns. He is also third in team history for total catches and receiving yards. He holds a Super Bowl record for most punt returns in a career.

Troy Brown is the only player in NFL history to have over 550 catches, 250 punt returns, and at least one interception. This shows how unique and talented he was!

The Memorable Play of 2006

One of Troy Brown's most famous moments happened in a 2006 playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots were losing with only 5 minutes left. The Chargers intercepted a pass from Tom Brady.

But Troy Brown, thinking like a defensive player, quickly ripped the ball away from the Chargers player! The Patriots recovered the ball and got another chance. They went on to tie the game and then win with a field goal. This play showed his incredible awareness and determination.

Legacy and Retirement

Troy Brown is a huge fan favorite among Patriots supporters. His amazing plays and dedication to the team led to him being inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

He officially retired from playing football on September 25, 2008. At that time, he was the all-time leader for the New England Patriots in receptions. In 2012, fans voted him into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Coaching Career

After his playing career, Troy Brown started coaching. In 2019, he began helping the Patriots' wide receivers in an unofficial role. He also worked with the team in 2016 as part of a coaching program.

In 2020, it was officially announced that Troy Brown was a coach for the Patriots. He started as the running backs and kick returners coach. In 2021, he became the wide receivers and kick returners coach. Since 2024, he has been working in a skill development role, helping players improve their abilities.

Life After Playing Football

Entertainment and Media

Since 2008, Troy Brown has worked as a football analyst for NBC Sports Boston, sharing his knowledge about the game. He also appeared as himself in an episode of the cartoon show Family Guy and had a small role in the 2012 movie The Three Stooges.

Business Ventures

Troy Brown is an investor and spokesperson for the Narragansett Brewing Company.

Personal Life

Troy Brown lives in Huntington, West Virginia. A part of a road there, West Virginia Route 10, is even named "Troy Brown Way" in his honor! He has two sons, Sir'mon and Saanjay. He also works with different charities through his Troy Brown Fantasy Football Camp.