 Brown in 2005 | |||||||||||||
| No. 81 | |||||||||||||
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| Position | Wide receiver | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1966-07-22)July 22, 1966 (age 59) Dallas, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | Woodrow Wilson (Dallas) | ||||||||||||
| College | Notre Dame (1984–1987) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1988: 1st round, 6th overall pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||
Operations | |||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||
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Timothy Donell Brown (born July 22, 1966) is an American former professionalfootball player who was awide receiver in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theNotre Dame Fighting Irish, where he won theHeisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver to do so. He spent sixteen years with theLos Angeles /Oakland Raiders, during which he established himself as one of the NFL's greatest wide receivers of all time.[1][2][3] Brown has also played for theTampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2015, he was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame.
As of 2023, Brown serves as the league chairman and commissioner ofThe Arena League, an indoor football league that began play in 2024.[4]
Timothy Donell Brown was born on July 22, 1966, inDallas, Texas. He attendedWoodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, the same school as 1938 Heisman Trophy winnerDavey O'Brien. Brown's receipt of the 1987 Heisman Trophy gave Woodrow the distinction of being the first high school in the country to have produced two Heisman Trophy winners. Amazingly, Tim didn't play football as a freshman at Woodrow, because he was forbidden to do so by his mother. Instead, he played in the Woodrow band during that first year. But he joined the Woodrow football team as a sophomore, although he initially tried to hide that fact from his mom. She later found out about it when the band leader called his house asking why he was no longer at band practices.[5] Despite his outstanding contributions to Woodrow's football program, the team fared poorly, posting only a 4–25–1 record over his three years as astarter. Nevertheless, Brown was heavilyrecruited by major colleges. His five official visits were toNotre Dame,Nebraska,Oklahoma, nearbySMU andIowa.[6] While at Woodrow, Brown also was a standouttrack athlete. He was one of the state's top performers in the400-meter dash, with a PR of 47.14 seconds, and he cleared 7.42 meters in thelong jump event.
Brown chose the University of Notre Dame and played there from 1984 to 1987, earning the nickname "Touchdown Timmy." In his first year, he set a freshman record with twenty-eight receptions. As a junior, he set a record with 1,937all-purpose yards. Offensively he ran for 254 yards with 2 TD and caught 45 passes for 910 yards with 5 TD. During 1987, Brown caught 34 passes for 846 yards, returned 34punts for 401 yards, rushed for 144 yards, gained 456 yards on 23kickoff returns, and scored eight touchdowns. Brown finished his career at Notre Dame with 137 receptions for 2,493 yards, a school-record 5,024 all-purpose yards, and 22 touchdowns. However, just as in high school, Brown's team achieved limited success, with a 25–21 record over his four seasons, and an 0–2 record in bowl games. But in the year after Brown graduated (1988), Notre Dame won thenational title.
Brown was named anAll-American twice and won the 1987Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver ever to win that award. As of 2020, Woodrow Wilson High School is still the onlypublic high school with two Heisman Trophy winners.[7][8]
When Brown graduated, he held 19 individual school records.
In 1989, Brown and Davey O'Brien were inducted together as members of the initial class of the Woodrow Wilson High School Hall of Fame, created in celebration of the school's 60th Anniversary.
In 2009, Brown was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame.
In January 2012, Brown received the Silver Anniversary Award from the NCAA in recognition of his myriad athletic and professional accomplishments.[9]
| Height | Weight | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | 9 in (0.23 m) | 4.39 s | 1.59 s | 2.58 s | |||||||
| All values fromNFL Combine[10] | ||||||||||||
Brown was selected by theLos Angeles Raiders in the first round with the sixth overall pick of the1988 NFL draft.[11] In his first NFL season, he led the league in kickoff returns, return yards, and yards per return average. Though it took time for him to fill into the role as the team's #1 receiver, catching just 147 passes in his first five seasons, he went on to rack up 9 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 1993 to 2001. He also led the NFL inpunt returns in 1994, and receptions in 1997. In March 1994, Brown was offered and signed a free-agent offer-sheet with the Denver Broncos.[12] The Raiders matched the offer soon thereafter. He was voted to thePro Bowl nine times, in 1988 and 1991 as a kick returner, and in 1993–97, 1999 and 2001 as a receiver. In 2001, Brown would later play alongside another well-known wide receiver,Jerry Rice. On December 9, 2001, Brown returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown in a home game against theKansas City Chiefs, making him the oldest player in NFL history to score a touchdown on a punt return. In 2002, he passedGene Upshaw to become the Raiders' all-time leader in games played with 224. He also set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards. Brown was released by the Raiders before the 2004 season, as he did not want to accept a smaller role in the offense.
Brown was signed shortly thereafter by the Buccaneers (coached by former Raider head coachJon Gruden). The move was controversial, considering that Brown had always been a fan favorite in the Oakland area and was much admired by many current and former Raiders players and staff over the sixteen years he spent with the Raider organization. He was the last of the Los Angeles Raiders to remain with Oakland.
On September 27, 2004, in his first game at Oakland since being signed by Tampa Bay, Brown reached 100 career receiving touchdowns, tying him (withSteve Largent) for 3rd on the NFL's all-time career receiving touchdown list at that time (behind former teammate Jerry Rice [197] andCris Carter [130]). He received a standing ovation from the Oakland Raider crowd.
In 2005, Brown signed a one-day contract with the Raiders to retire with the team. The July 18 news conference was attended by two Raiders officials and only one active Raider, wide receiverJerry Porter. Brown retired with 14,934 receiving yards, the second-highest total in NFL history, 1,094 receptions (3rd), and 100 touchdown catches (3rd-Tied). Brown also gained 190 rushing yards, 3,320 punt-return yards (5th in NFL history), 3 fumble-return yards, and 1,235 yards returning kickoffs. This gave him a total of 19,682 combined net yards, ranking him #5 among the NFL's all-time leaders at the time of his retirement. He also scored 105 total touchdowns (100 receiving, 1 rushing, 3 punt returns, 1 kickoff return). Brown is the only player ever to retire in the NFL's top five leaders for both receiving and return yards.
Brown became eligible for enshrinement in thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, but was not selected that year.[13] He was considered a long shot to get in on his first try, as there was a logjam of accomplished receiver candidates, includingJerry Rice (Brown's former teammate),Cris Carter andAndre Reed.
On January 7, 2012, and again on January 11, 2013, Brown was selected as a finalist for enshrinement in thePro Football Hall of Fame, but was not chosen.
On January 31, 2015, Brown was selected for enshrinement in thePro Football Hall of Fame.[14] He was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, 2015.[15]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Punt returns | Kickoff returns | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1988 | LA | 16 | 9 | 43 | 725 | 16.9 | 65T | 5 | 14 | 50 | 3.6 | 12 | 1 | 49 | 444 | 9.1 | 36 | 0 | 41 | 1,098 | 26.8 | 97T | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 1989 | LA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 43 | 10.8 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 63 | 21.0 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1990 | LA | 16 | 0 | 18 | 265 | 14.7 | 51 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 34 | 295 | 8.7 | 39 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 |
| 1991 | LA | 16 | 1 | 36 | 554 | 15.4 | 78T | 5 | 5 | 16 | 3.2 | 9 | 0 | 29 | 330 | 11.4 | 75T | 1 | 1 | 29 | 29.0 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | LA | 15 | 12 | 49 | 693 | 14.1 | 68T | 7 | 3 | −4 | −1.3 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 383 | 10.4 | 40 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 5 |
| 1993 | LA | 16 | 16 | 80 | 1,180 | 14.8 | 71T | 7 | 2 | 7 | 3.5 | 14 | 0 | 40 | 465 | 11.6 | 74T | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| 1994 | LA | 16 | 16 | 89 | 1,309 | 14.7 | 77T | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | 40 | 487 | 12.2 | 48 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 |
| 1995 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 89 | 1,342 | 15.1 | 80T | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 36 | 364 | 10.1 | 38 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 90 | 1,104 | 12.3 | 42T | 9 | 6 | 35 | 5.8 | 15 | 0 | 32 | 272 | 8.5 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 24.0 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 1997 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 104 | 1,408 | 13.5 | 59T | 5 | 5 | 19 | 3.8 | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1998 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 81 | 1,012 | 12.5 | 49T | 9 | 1 | −7 | −7.0 | −7 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| 1999 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 90 | 1,344 | 14.9 | 47 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 76 | 1,128 | 14.8 | 45 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 4.0 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 91 | 1,165 | 12.8 | 46T | 9 | 4 | 39 | 9.8 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 111 | 18.5 | 88T | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | OAK | 16 | 16 | 81 | 930 | 11.5 | 45 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 3.2 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 55 | 5.5 | 11 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 1 |
| 2003 | OAK | 16 | 15 | 52 | 567 | 10.9 | 36T | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | TB | 15 | 4 | 24 | 200 | 8.3 | 21 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 48 | 8.0 | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 |
| Career | 255 | 202 | 1,094 | 14,934 | 13.7 | 80T | 100 | 50 | 190 | 3.8 | 19 | 1 | 326 | 3,320 | 10.2 | 88T | 3 | 49 | 1,235 | 25.2 | 97T | 1 | 33 | 19 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Punt returns | Kickoff returns | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1990 | LA | 2 | 0 | 5 | 59 | 11.8 | 26 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 45 | 11.3 | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | LA | 1 | 0 | 4 | 45 | 11.3 | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | LA | 2 | 2 | 8 | 213 | 26.6 | 86T | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 7 | 2.3 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | OAK | 2 | 2 | 7 | 75 | 10.7 | 17 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | OAK | 2 | 2 | 8 | 55 | 6.9 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | OAK | 3 | 3 | 13 | 134 | 10.3 | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 12 | 9 | 45 | 581 | 12.9 | 86T | 3 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 75 | 8.3 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Brown was in the movieLittle Giants, and is co-host onFSN Pro Football Preview with former playersJason Sehorn,Eddie George and NFL InsiderJay Glazer. Brown is also a representative for YorHealth.[16]
In 1995, Brown became the National Chairman of Athletes & Entertainers for Kids and the related9-1-1 for Kids. These efforts have helped over five million children and teens through mentoring and educational programs.[17]
As of 2013, Brown has been the General Manager and Co-Owner of theTexas Revolution of theChampions Indoor Football League in his home state of Texas and was an analyst forESPN College Football. Brown also hosts a weekly sports-talk show onWRDI.[18]
Brown serves as the League Chairman and Commissioner ofThe Arena League, an indoor football league that is estimated to begin play in 2024.[4]
Brown currently lives inCedar Hill, Texas.
Brown started aNASCAR racing team as part of theirDrive for Diversity program. He was recruitingAfrican American sponsors to fund the venture, and has worked out a technical alliance withRoush Fenway Racing, who will provide support to the upstart team. Brown hopes to eventually find a black,Hispanic, orwoman driver to be the star of his team in order to bring an element of diversity to what is awhite-dominated sport. However, the plan never successfully began.[19]
Since joining the Raiders, Brown had a complicated relationship with the Oakland Raiders and late ownerAl Davis. During a 2009 interview with Sportsradiointerview.com Brown commented on his former boss:
“Meeting Al (Davis) was pretty unique. I found out five or ten minutes after my first practice there that he hated African-American athletes from Notre Dame. And they literally told me that. They literally told me that because we’re known for using our education more than our athletic ability that he thought that I would be one of these guys that would basically take the money and run. I don’t know if that was a ploy to get me amped up, but it certainly worked."[20]
In 2000, Brown was dining in an Oakland restaurant with former RaidersChester McGlockton andSean Jones. During their meal, Brown found himself unable to approach or speak to Davis. Brown told a reporter, "I was saddened by that because I don't know anybody who I've dealt with for twelve years who I can't say hello to in that situation. I was saddened that the situation is where it is."[21]
On August 5, 2004, the Raiders held a press conference with Brown and Davis which stated that Brown was leaving the Raiders. Davis and Brown professed mutual respect for one another and both men expressed a desire for Brown to return to the Raiders someday.[22]
On July 19, 2005, Brown officially retired but the Raiders did not hold a press conference at the team headquarters. Instead, Brown held his own press conference in an Oakland hotel ballroom. Davis did not attend the conference because he had a "scheduling conflict". Davis did allow Brown to sign a ceremonial $765,000 contract with the Raiders so he could retire as an Oakland Raider. Brown's 2004 departure from the Raiders eventually became acrimonious, and the outspoken receiver often criticized Davis, senior assistantMichael Lombardi and coachNorv Turner publicly for conspiring to make him expendable. Former teammatesMarcus Allen,Lincoln Kennedy and Chester McGlockton attended the press conference. For the Raiders,Amy Trask, the Raiders' chief executive officer who had Brown sign the ceremonial contract,Marc Badain, a finance executive and Mike Taylor, the team's director of public relations, were on hand. At the time, Raiders receiverJerry Porter was also in attendance. Lincoln Kennedy stuck up for the absence of Davis stating "It's not his style; he'll probably invite Tim up to his office, or out to dinner later on. But this? This is not his style."[23]
Recent history suggested that Davis was possibly out of touch with the football world prior to his death in 2011 because the Raiders had suffered through seven straight losing seasons (2003–2009) since losing to Tampa Bay inSuper Bowl XXXVII. Brown disagreed, stating "In a lot of peoples’ minds, Al is out of touch, but nothing is further from the truth. He is still quite lucid."[24]
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