Bill Brown (linebacker)
.jpg) 1960 Fleer trading card | |
| No. 54 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | April 25, 1936 Mount Kisco, New York, U.S. |
| Died: | April 18, 1989 (aged 52) Hempstead, New York, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Yorktown (Yorktown Heights, New York) |
| College: | Bridgeport (1953–1954) Syracuse (1955–1956) |
| NFL draft: | 1957: 9th round, 108th pick |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
William Evans Brown (April 25, 1936 – April 18, 1989) was an American professional football linebacker who played for the Boston Patriots of the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at the University of Bridgeport and Syracuse University.
Early life and college
William Evans Brown was born on April 25, 1936, in Mount Kisco, New York.[1] He played six-man football at Yorktown High School in Yorktown Heights, New York.[2][1] He was a proficient drop kicker in high school.[2]
Brown was a member of the college football team at the University of Bridgeport from 1953 to 1954.[1] He then transferred to Syracuse University, where he was a two-year letterman for the Syracuse Orange from 1955 to 1956.[1] He earned All-East honors his senior year in 1956.[2] Brown was also a game captain for the 1957 Cotton Bowl Classic.[2] He graduated from Syracuse in 1958.[3]
Professional career
Brown was selected by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round, with the 108th overall pick, of the 1957 NFL draft.[4] He instead signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union but was later released.[1] After his stint with the Rough Riders, he became a teacher and football coach at Manlius Military Academy.[2]
Brown signed with the Boston Patriots of the American Football League (AFL) on February 18, 1960.[1] He played in all 14 games, starting nine, for the Patriots during the team's inaugural 1960 season and recorded one interception.[4] He played defense and special teams while with the Patriots.[2] Boston finished the year with a 5–9 record.[5]
Personal life
Brown later served as a football coach at Berner High School in Massapequa, New York and the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.[3] Berner High went undefeated four times while Brown was there.[3] He died of cancer on April 18, 1989, in Hempstead, New York.[1][3] He had been the offensive line coach at Hofstra University from 1986 until his death.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Bill Brown". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Lapolla, Ray (September 19, 1960). "Yorktown's Billy Brown Stars On Patriots Defense". Mount Vernon Argus. p. 15. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Bill Brown, Football Coach, 52". The New York Times. April 20, 1989. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ a b "Bill Brown". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "1960 Boston Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 11, 2025.