Dave Brown Selected to College Football Hall of Fame
5/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
IRVING, Texas -- The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced today (Wednesday, May 9) that former University of Michigan defensive back Dave Brown is one of 14 inductees in the class of 2007. Brown, the 33rd Wolverine to receive the prestigious honor, will be posthumously honored at the foundation's 50th annual awards dinner in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007. Brown passed away Jan. 10, 2006, from a heart attack at the age of 52.
Brown
Brown is one of 17 Wolverine players to earn All-America honors at least twice during his career. He was a consensus All-America in 1973 and 1974 after leading U-M to a share of the Big Ten title in both seasons. Brown was co-captain of the 1974 squad as a senior. A three-time All-Big Ten first team selection, he finished his career second on Michigan's career pass breakup list (18 PBUs, 1972-74) and corralled nine interceptions for 202 yards. Brown tallied 173 career tackles, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble from the secondary. He ranks among Michigan's top 10 in career punt returns, returning 48 punts for 531 yards (11.7 avg.), and scored three touchdowns.
A native of Akron, Ohio, Brown was drafted in the first round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played 16 years in the NFL: one season with the Steelers (1975), 11 years with the Seattle Seahawks (1976-86) and four seasons with the Green Bay Packers (1987-90). Brown participated in the Steelers' Super Bowl X win against the Dallas Cowboys, before being picked up by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1976 expansion draft. A 1984 All-Pro selection, Brown holds the all-time record in Seattle with 50 interceptions and was enshrined in the Seahawks' Ring of Honor in 1992. He twice was voted All-NFL (1984 and 1985).
Brown was the cornerbacks coach for the Seahawks for seven years (1992-98). He returned to the sidelines three seasons after retiring from coaching and spent five years as cornerback coach at Texas Tech (2001-05) prior to his death. Brown is survived by his wife, Rhonda, and sons, Aaron and Sterling.
NOTE: Herb Deromedi, a U-M graduate, is one of two coaches in the 2007 induction class. Deromedi compiled a 110-55-10 record during a 16-year head coaching career at Central Michigan (1978-93). He then became athletics director for the Chippewas, a position he held from 1994 through 2006.
Media Contact: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
