Please, don't forget Roosevelt Brown

LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor

When someone asks who was the first African-American captain of an NFL team, answer them again with the name, Roosevelt Brown.

These are too little-known facts that help put in perspective the remarkable career of the NFL legend. And these were the two questions asked to me in the press box of a North Carolina A&T game several years ago by the proud veteran of 13 NFL seasons then working as a scout for the Giants.

The purposes of his questions were clear.

When reciting the feats of athletic brilliance, particularly those wrought by players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), don't dare forget the name of Rosey Brown.

Brown died last Wednesday after collapsing in the garden of his home in Mansfield Township, N.J. He was 71.

"Rosie was a great Giant," Giants co-owner Wellington Mara said last week. "He was with this organization for more than 50 years as a player, coach and scout. He excelled in every area and he was always a gentleman."

Brown was also a great Morgan State Bear.

A two-time all-CIAA selection ('51-'52) at offensive tackle, he was also known to spend some time on defense.

"Whenever we needed it, he'd go over there and play some at defensive tackle," said former roommate and lifelong friend James Mack of Baltimore.

"The main thing was that people would just get out of his way," said Mack, who roomed with Brown in 1949, the freshman year at Morgan for both men.

When asked whether it was his athleticism, competitive spirit or toughness that made Brown a standout, Mack said, "all of the above," and noted that he was well-liked and "a friendly fellow." Brown was captain of the football team at Morgan State his last two seasons.

"He was a great player from high school (in Charlottesville, Va.) all the way up," said Mack.

Selected in the 27th round of the 1953 NFL Draft by New York, Brown started 13 straight years for the Giants at left tackle. When you check his record, it appears he missed just two games in his storied career.

He was voted to the All-NFL team eight consecutive seasons and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. In 1956, he was chosen as the league's lineman of the year.

He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1975 and was chosen for the NFL's 75th anniversary team in 2000.

With Brown, the Giants made it to the NFL title games six times between 1956 and 1963. New York won the championship only in '56.

He is acknowledged as one the greatest ever to play his position despite playing at just 6-3, 255 pounds.

While these facts are well-documented, the questions posed to me by Brown, I believe, were instructional.

In an era (the 1950s) when black players, including black college players, were typically pushed to the bottom of the draft charts, denied opportunities and subjected to indignities both on and off the field ­ literally, in an era of racism and segregation ­ Brown excelled and exerted his humanity.

He perhaps exhibited as much pride in his ability to be a leader amongst men, as in his exploits on the playing field.

Brown was also the first in an incredible line of four players in the storied Bears program, a list that includes Len Ford, Willie Lanier and Leroy Kelly, that were selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All played for legendary head coach Eddie Hurt and all had their jerseys retired at Morgan State in 2002.

"In 33 years in the National Football League, I don't know that I loved working with or knowing anyone more than Roosevelt Brown," Giants' general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "The world knows he was a great player. But few know what a great scout he was. He was a treasure to have in our scouting department, full of wisdom and knowledge."

After retiring, Brown served as the team's assistant offensive line coach and later joined the scouting department. He regularly attended training camp, often walking side-by-side with the 87-year-old Mara.

© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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