Willie Brown (American football) facts for kids
Brown in 2007
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||
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| Born: | December 2, 1940 Yazoo City, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Died: | October 21, 2019 (aged 78) Tracy, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||
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| High school: | Taylor (Yazoo City, Mississippi) | ||||||||
| College: | Grambling State | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1963 | ||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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William Ferdie Brown (born December 2, 1940, died October 21, 2019) was a famous American football player. He also worked as a coach and a team executive. Willie Brown played as a cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders. A cornerback is a defensive player who tries to stop passes and tackle offensive players.
After he stopped playing, Brown became an assistant coach for the Raiders. He also coached college football at California State University, Long Beach in 1991. In 1984, Willie Brown was honored by being put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is a special place for the best football players ever.
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Playing Football
Willie Brown played college football at Grambling State University. When he finished school in 1963, no professional teams chose him in the draft. But the Houston Oilers of the American Football League (AFL) signed him. The AFL was a major football league before it joined with the NFL.
Brown was cut from the Oilers during training. Then, the Denver Broncos signed him. He quickly became a starter in his first year. In his second season, he was named an All-AFL player. This means he was one of the best players in the AFL.
Joining the Raiders
In 1967, Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders. He played for the Raiders for the rest of his career. He was the defensive captain for 10 of his 12 years with the team. Being a captain means he was a leader on the field.
He was chosen for five AFL All-Star games. He also played in four NFL Pro Bowls. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL. He was named All-AFL three times and All-NFL four times.
Super Bowl XI Moment
One of Brown's most famous plays happened in Super Bowl XI. With less than six minutes left, he intercepted a pass from Fran Tarkenton. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player.
Brown ran 75 yards for a touchdown. This play helped the Raiders win the game. It was the longest interception return in Super Bowl history at that time. A sports film company, NFL Films, made his run famous. A radio announcer even called him "Old Man Willie!"
His record for the longest interception return in a Super Bowl lasted for 29 years. It was broken in Super Bowl XL by Kelly Herndon.
Retirement and Records
Willie Brown retired after the 1978 season. He finished his Raiders career with 39 interceptions. This tied him for the most interceptions in team history.
In his 16 years of professional football, he had 54 interceptions. He returned these for 472 yards and two touchdowns. He also recovered three fumbles.
Brown was chosen for the American Football League All-Time Team. He was put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984. This was his first year of being eligible for the honor. In 1999, he was ranked number 50 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. He was the highest-ranked Raiders player on that list.
Coaching Career
After his playing career, Willie Brown became a coach. He coached the defensive backfield for the Raiders from 1979 to 1988. He also coached at Jordan High School in Los Angeles in 1994.
In 1995, he returned to the Oakland Raiders. He worked as the Director of Staff Development. In this role, he helped develop the team's staff.
Awards and Honors
Willie Brown received many awards for his amazing football career:
- All-AFL Team (1964)
- Five AFL All-Star Games (1964–1965, 1967–1969)
- Named to the All-Time AFL Team in 1969
- Four AFC-NFC Pro Bowls (1970–1973)
- Named to the Pro Football 25-year All-Star team
- Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984
- Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1985
- Inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1994
Football Records
Willie Brown held some impressive records:
- He previously held the Super Bowl record for the longest interception return (75 yards in Super Bowl XI). This record is now held by Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker James Harrison (100 yards in Super Bowl XLIII).
- He is tied for first place as the Oakland Raiders' franchise leader for interceptions (39).
Death
Willie Brown passed away on October 21, 2019, at the age of 78.
See also
- List of American Football League players
