Bill Brown (American football)
{{short description|American football player, born 1938}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Bill Brown
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 38, 30
| position = Fullback
| birth_date = {{birth date|1938|06|29}}
| birth_place = Mendota, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|11|04|1938|06|29}}
| death_place = Edina, Minnesota, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 228
| high_school = Mendota Township
| college = Illinois (1957–1960)
| draftyear = 1961
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 20
| afldraftyear = 1961
| afldraftround = 6
| afldraftpick = 42
| pastteams =
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|1961}})
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|1962|1974}})
| highlights =
- NFL champion (1969)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1964, 1965, 1968)
- 4× Pro Bowl (1964, 1965, 1967, 1968)
- Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor
- 50 Greatest Vikings
- Minnesota Vikings 25th Anniversary Team
- Minnesota Vikings 40th Anniversary Team
- 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1959, 1960)
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 5,838
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.5
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 52
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 286
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 3,183
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 23
| pfr = BrowBi00
}}
William Dorsey Brown (June 29, 1938 – November 4, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, including 13 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times with the Vikings.
Biography
= High school and college =
Brown was born on June 29, 1938, in Mendota, LaSalle County, Illinois.{{Cite web |title=Bill Brown Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowBi00.htm |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} While in high school at Mendota, he was teammates with future Canadian Football League Hall of Famer Ray Jauch.{{Cite web |last=Steele |first=Dick |date=2009-11-04 |title=Football team didn't always have all of the necessities |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/2009/11/04/football-team-didnt-always-have-all-of-the-necessities/avxyjxy/ |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Shaw Local |language=en}} After graduation from Mendota High School, Brown played college football at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.{{Cite web |last=Tate |first=Loren |date=2008-07-20 |title=Brown, not MItchell, deserves spot among UI's top backs |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports/football/tate-brown-not-mitchell-deserves-spot-among-uis-top-backs/article_a8881a59-947a-5451-803c-0281a0552bd3.html |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=The News-Gazette |language=en-US}} He was an All-Big Ten fullback, and also won the Big Ten shot put title{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Chicago |date=1994-05-27 |title=100 YEARS OF STATE TRACK |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/05/27/100-years-of-state-track/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Illinois Men's Records |url=https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/fightingillini.com/documents/2023/2/10/2022_Track_and_Field_Record_Book_copy.pdf}} and set an Illinois record with a toss of {{height|ft=54|in=10.5}}. He was captain of the 1960 football team, and led the Illini in rushing yards in 1959 and 1960, and points in 1959. He was the team's punter (averaging 40.3 yards per punt over three years), while also playing linebacker in 1959. He scored the winning touchdowns in an upset of number 4 ranked Army in 1959, and on the final play against Wisconsin that same year. He was twice selected second team All-Conference.{{Cite web |title=Football - Yearly Leaders |url=https://fightingillini.com/sports/2016/8/18/football-yearly-leaders.aspx |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=University of Illinois Athletics |language=en}}
= Professional football career =
Brown was a second round choice (20th overall) of the Chicago Bears in the 1961 NFL draft. He had also been selected in the sixth round of the 1961 AFL draft by the New York Titans.{{Cite web |title=Bill Brown Football Statistics {{!}} The Football Database |url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/bill-brown-brownbi01 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=FootballDB.com |language=en}} In 1961, he played in the Vikings inaugural game in Metropolitan Stadium, but as a Bear.{{Cite web |last=Tanick |first=Marshall H. |date=2018-11-30 |title=Vikings' Brown lowered the 'Boom' on this class |url=https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2018/11/vikings-brown-lowered-the-boom-on-this-class/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}} Brown was traded to the Vikings before the 1962 season,{{Cite web |title=Bill Brown, Running Back, The Official Site of the Minnesota Vikings |url=https://www.vikings.com/team/front-office-roster/bill-brown |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.vikings.com |language=en-US}} for a fourth-round draft pick in the 1964 NFL draft. Brown played for the Vikings for 13 seasons, including three Super Bowls (IV, VIII, and IX). He was named to the Pro Bowl after the {{NFL Year|1964}}, {{NFL Year|1965}}, {{NFL Year|1967}}, and {{NFL Year|1968}} NFL seasons.{{Cite web |title=Bill Brown Bio |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/bill-brown-2343/bio |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}
1964 was his best season, gaining 866 yards rushing, 703 yards on 48 receptions, and including a game high 128 receiving yards and 226 total yards from scrimmage against the Chicago Bears on December 13, 1964.{{Cite web |title=Bill Brown Career Stats (Scrimmage) |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/bill-brown-2343/career-stats |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} In 1963, he had a 78-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected to the second team Associated Press All NFL teams in 1964 and 1968. Brown earned the nickname "Boom-Boom" for his reckless, and often violent, running style.{{Cite web |title=Former Vikings fullback Bill Brown dies at 80 |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/former-vikings-fullback-bill-brown-dies-at-80 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}} His coach, Pro Football Hall of Famer Norm Van Brocklin, gave Brown the nickname.
Brown holds many Vikings team records. Brown holds Vikings records for most regular season games played by a running back (180),{{Cite web |title=Most Games Played For The Minnesota Vikings |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-games-played-for-the-minnesota-vikings |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} most consecutive games played by a running back (101),{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Marc |date=2018-11-08 |title=Vikes Legend Bill Brown passes away, Wild have great game in STL and more! |url=https://duluthreader.com/articles/2018/11/08/111709-vikes-legend-bill-brown-passes-away-wild-have |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=duluthreader.com |language=en}} and most games started by a running back (111). He ranks fifth for career rushing yards (5,757), trailing Adrian Peterson (11,747), Robert Smith (6,818), Dalvin Cook (5,993), and Chuck Foreman (5,887).{{Cite web |title=Vikings Top 10 Rushing Leaders of All-Time |url=https://www.vikings.com/photos/vikings-top-10-rushing-leaders-of-all-time#3feafd04-80bb-433e-9af0-ab8b22bf1014 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.vikings.com |language=en-US}} Brown is second in team history for career rushing attempts (1,627), behind Peterson (2,418),{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings All-time Rushing Yards Leaders |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=minnesota+vikings+all-time+rushing+yards+leaders |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} and is tied for second in team history with Chuck Foreman in rushing touchdowns (52). He ranks ninth in career points scored (456 on 76 touchdowns), behind Fred Cox, Fuad Reveiz, Cris Carter, Ryan Longwell, Peterson, Randy Moss, Blair Walsh, and Gary Anderson.{{Cite web |title=Vikings All-Time Scoring Leaders |url=https://www.vikings.com/photos/vikings-top-10-scoring-leaders-of-all-time#2cb6b502-91da-4ddd-bd15-c015915dc565 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.vikings.com |language=en-US}} Brown is fifth in Vikings history in combined total yards gained (9,198), after Peterson (14,108), Carter (12, 410), Darrin Nelson (10,377), and Moss (9,670).{{Cite web |title=Most Yards Player Minnesota Vikings All-time |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask?q=most+yards+player+minnesota+vikings+all-time |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=StatMuse |language=en}} He rushed for two touchdowns in a single game ten times. With the retirement of Don Perkins, Brown led active players in career rushing yards for much of the 1970 season, but had been passed by Leroy Kelly by the season finale.{{Cite web |title=Rushing Yard Leaders From 1961 To 1970 |url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/rushing-yard-leaders-from-1961-to-1970 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=StatMuse |language=en}}
In 2004, Brown was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor. He is a member of the Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-04 |title=Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame to induct Class of 2023 on June 8 |url=https://www.shawlocal.com/news-tribune/2023/04/04/june-8th-the-date-illinois-valley-sports-hall-of-fame-inducting-class-of-2023/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Shaw Local |language=en}}
= Death =
Brown died on November 4, 2018,[https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/11/4/18061594/former-minnesota-vikings-running-back-bill-brown-passes-away Former Minnesota Vikings running back Bill Brown passes away] at a memory center in Edina, Minnesota where he had resided for five years. Brown had been diagnosed with dementia.{{Cite web |last=Reusse |first=Patrick |date=2018-11-07 |title=Ex-Vikings fullback Bill 'Boom Boom' Brown dies at 80 |url=https://www.startribune.com/ex-vikings-fullback-bill-boom-boom-brown-dies-at-80/499564521 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.startribune.com |language=en}} His brain was donated to Boston University's Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center, to determine if Brown had CTE, as he had suffered concussions during his playing days.{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Chris Tomasson {{!}} Pioneer |date=2018-11-04 |title=Former Vikings fullback Bill Brown dies at 80, brain to be donated for CTE study |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/11/04/former-vikings-fullback-bill-brown-dies-at-80-brain-to-be-donated-for-cte-study/ |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=Twin Cities |language=en-US}} He was survived by his children Scott, Shelley, Kimberly, and Mick. Former Vikings and Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon was his son-in-law.[http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=11483 Gannon's bio]
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#ffe6bd; width:3em;"|
| Won NFL championship |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class= "wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="6"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Y/G | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | FR |
| 1961 || CHI
| 14 || 3 || 22 || 81 || 3.7 || 5.8 || 20 || 0 || 2 || 6 || 3.0 || 13 || 0 || 2 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 1962 || MIN
| 14 || 2 || 34 || 103 || 3.0 || 7.4 || 15 || 0 || 10 || 124 || 12.4 || 29 || 1 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 1963 || MIN
| 14 || 13 || 128 || 445 || 3.5 || 31.8 || 21 || 5 || 17 || 109 || 6.4 || 30 || 2 || 7 || 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 1964 || MIN
| 14 || 14 || 226 || 866 || 3.8 || 61.9 || 48 || 7 || 48 || 703 || 14.6 || 64 || 9 || 9 || 4 | ||||||||||||||
| 1965 || MIN
| 14 || 13 || 160 || 699 || 4.4 || 49.9 || 40 || 6 || 41 || 503 || 12.3 || 47 || 1 || 9 || 3 | ||||||||||||||
| 1966 || MIN
| 14 || 14 || style="background:#cfecec;"|251 || 829 || 3.3 || 59.2 || 33 || 6 || 37 || 359 || 9.7 || 56 || 0 || 4 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 1967 || MIN
| 14 || 14 || 185 || 610 || 3.3 || 43.6 || 29 || 5 || 22 || 263 || 12.0 || 43 || 0 || 3 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 1968 || MIN
| 14 || 14 || 222 || 805 || 3.6 || 57.5 || 32 || 11 || 31 || 329 || 10.6 || 57 || 3 || 6 || 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 1969 || style="background:#ffe6bd;"|MIN
| 12 || 12 || 126 || 430 || 3.4 || 35.8 || 30 || 3 || 21 || 183 || 8.7 || 27 || 0 || 3 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 1970 || MIN
| 14 || 7 || 101 || 324 || 3.2 || 23.1 || 18 || 0 || 15 || 149 || 9.9 || 17 || 2 || 3 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 1971 || MIN
| 14 || 6 || 46 || 136 || 3.0 || 9.7 || 23 || 2 || 10 || 94 || 9.4 || 36 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 1972 || MIN
| 14 || 0 || 82 || 263 || 3.2 || 18.8 || 19 || 4 || 22 || 298 || 13.5 || 76 || 4 || 4 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 1973 || MIN
| 14 || 2 || 47 || 206 || 4.4 || 14.7 || 21 || 3 || 5 || 22 || 4.4 || 7 || 1 || 2 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| 1974 || MIN
| 14 || 0 || 19 || 41 || 2.2 || 2.9 || 11 || 0 || 5 || 41 || 8.2 || 21 || 0 || 3 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowBi00.htm Career] || 194 || 114 || 1,649 || 5,838 || 3.5 || 30.1 || 48 || 52 || 286 || 3,183 || 11.1 || 76 || 23 || 56 || 17 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Footballstats |nfl=2510467 |cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=BrowBi00 |dbf=BROWNBIL03 |rotoworld=}}
{{Bears1961DraftPicks}}
{{Titans1961DraftPicks}}
{{1969 Minnesota Vikings}}
{{Vikings Ring Of Honor}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Bill}}
Category:People from Mendota, Illinois
Category:Sportspeople from LaSalle County, Illinois
Category:American football running backs
Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Players of American football from Illinois