Brown, born in the cotton country of Wesson, Mississippi, moved west with his family as a child. He displayed his athletic talents at SBHS as a heavy-hitting football lineman; a big-bodied basketball player with a surprisingly soft shooting touch; and a power-hitting first baseman. He graduated in 1970 and went on to become a much decorated offensive lineman at Santa Barbara City College and USC.
In his first year at USC, Brown joined his former SBHS teammate, fullback Sam Cunningham. The Trojans capped their national championship season in 1972 with a resounding Rose Bowl victory over Ohio State. Cunningham scored four touchdowns while Brown and the rest of the line crushed the Buckeyes at the goal line.
Cunningham died last September 7 at 71. Brown was among the former Dons and Trojans who attended his memorial at Peabody Stadium in November.
In 1973, Brown was named to six All-America teams and was offered a rich contract to play for the Southern California Sun of the new World Football League. After the league folded, Brown played two years for the San Diego Chargers.
Marv Goux with Cunningham and Brown
give it a rest. sc