| No. 8 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback /Placekicker /Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1952-06-14)June 14, 1952[1] Middletown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 10, 2012(2012-12-10) (aged 60) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Notre Dame |
| NFL draft | 1974: 17th round, 427th overall pick |
| Career history | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Awards and highlights | |
Clifton Brown Sr. (June 14, 1952 – December 10, 2012) was an Americanfootballquarterback for theUniversity of Notre Dame, and was the first African-American quarterback to start a game for the prestigious program.[2]
After futureHall-of-FamerJoe Theismann graduated in 1971, Irishhead coachAra Parseghian selectedPat Steenberge tostart the first two games of the next season. Following a leg injury to Steenberge, backupBill Etter started the next two games, and then he too suffered a knee injury that ended his season.[3] Cliff Brown then went into action in the second quarter againstMiami, and led the team to a 17–0 victory. Brown started all of the remaining games in the season, losing only toUSC andLSU.[2]
The following year, sophomoreTom Clements started at quarterback, and Brown was the primary backup for both the 1972 and 1973 seasons. Brown's last touchdown at Notre Dame came in the final regular-season game of the 1973 national championship season—a 6-yard run at the end of a 44–0 rout ofMiami.[4] Brown was selected in the 17th round of the 1974NFL draft by thePhiladelphia Eagles as a running back;[5] he did not make the final roster.
Brown died on December 10, 2012, at the age of 60.[6]