Kevin Brown (running back)

Infobox NFL player
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Name=Kevin Brown


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DateOfBirth=March 10, 1970
Birthplace= Los Angeles, California
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Height_ft=5
Height_in=10
Weight_lbs=215
number=24
Position=Running Back
College=University of Miami
DraftedYear=1992
DraftedRound=3rd round Cleveland Browns

Teams

* Cleveland Browns (1992-1995)
* Baltimore Ravens (1996)

Career Highlights= NCAA Championship 1989 and 1991
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Honors= first-team all-Big East 1990
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Kevin Brown is a former American football running back for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.

High school career

Kevin Brown attended Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, California. He rushed for over 7,000 yards during his high school career. As a sophomore in 1985, Brown rushed for 2,196 yards and made 41 touchdowns leading his school to the CIF Championship 3 years in a row. Ranked as the #2 back in the country Brown was heavily recruited by several colleges before committing to the University of Miami.

College career

Kevin Brown attended the University of Miami during his college career.

Brown played in 11 games during his freshman year in 1988 and rushed for 769 yards on 131 carries (5.8 average) and scored 9 touchdowns while sharing time with Wesley Carroll. Even though he shared time with another star running back, Brown ranked first on the team in rushing yards, yards per rush and rushing touchdowns. Brown got over 100 yards against Florida State University and West Virginia University, 126 yards and 139 yards, respectively. Brown also scored 4 touchdowns against FSU and West Virginia. Brown also scored the memorable game-winning touchdown against Florida University, when he broke four tackles for a 67 yard run. After finishing the regular season #1, the Hurricanes were invited to the Fiesta Bowl to play #2 Penn State. Many pundits predicted a blowout for the heavily-favored Hurricanes. Some of the players, confident in their ability to dominate, arrived in Arizona wearing combat fatigues. Unfortunately for the renegade Hurricanes, the Nittany Lions harassed Testaverde all night, forcing 7 turnovers en route to a shocking 14-10 upset. Brown ran for a dismal 56 yards on 20 carries (2.8 average).

In his sophomore year, Brown played in all 12 games, rushed for 735 yards on 142 carries (5.1 average) and scored 7 touchdowns while sharing time with Wesley Carroll all season. Vocally upset at the departure of former coach Jimmy Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys, Brown said he was cheated and considered transferring before coach Johnson met with him and convinced him to stay. Even so Brown still didn't get along with his new coach Dennis Erickson constantly challenging his every move. Against Michigan State University, Brown rushed for a personal-best 168 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. He scored Miami's only touchdown on a two-yard run in the second quarter against Notre Dame.Brown was named to first-team all-Big East. Surpassed the 1,000 yard mark for his career against San Diego State, where he rushed for 102 yards. Despite the midseason loss to the Seminoles, The Hurricanes would stay in the national championship picture with a dominating 27-10 victory over Notre Dame in front of a then-record crowd at the Orange Bowl. However, it was Notre Dame who was chosen to play in the Orange Bowl against #1 Colorado, while #2 Miami had to settle for Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Notre Dame's win over Colorado helped pave the way for Miami to win its third National Championship following its victory over Alabama, 33-25. After the game, Alabama coach Bill Curry said "We never had control of the game. Miami's got to be No. 1." Brown had 22 carries for 103 yards and 1 touchdown.

In his junior year, Brown was on his way to a historic season and expected to declare for the draft season end. Finally the sole starter Brown started standing out even more before being cut down by a knee injury against University of Pittsburgh that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Despite playing in only 6 games, Brown rushed for 583 yards on 112 carries (5.2 average) and led the Big East in touchdowns with 10. The 1990 Hurricanes had high expectations heaped upon them by fans and the national media. Miami was ranked #1 in the preseason and was a clear favorite to repeat as champions. But a season opening loss to Brigham Young University and Heisman trophy winner Ty Detmer put a damper on Miami's hopes of repeating.

The highlight of the 1990 season was a 46-3 pounding of Texas in the Cotton Bowl. The Hurricanes performance on New Years Day 1991 set the stage for their run to another national championship the following season. Brown was again named to first-team all-Big East. In the win against Clemson, Brown rushed for 139 yards on 28 rushes. Brown moved to 10th place on the all-time Miami rushing list, passing Don Bosseler.

The 1991 season was a frustrating one for the star running-back. Brown returned from his ACL injury just in time but was not the same running back. He was nagged with issues associated with the injured knee, and some felt he should have taken more time to heal. He was unable to wrestle the starting job from sophomore sensation Darryl Spencer and only played in eight games. Miami rolled through its first 8 games leading up to a high-noon showdown against #1 Florida State in Tallahassee. The Seminoles jumped out to a 16-7 lead, but Miami scored 10 points in the 4th quarter on a 8 yard run from Brown and a field Goal by Carlos Huerta to take the lead, 17-16. Florida State attempted one last desperation drive and with time running out, Seminole kicker Gerry Thomas missed a 34-yard field goal to the right in a moment that would come to be known as Wide Right I. Miami finished out the season 11-0 and earned a berth in the Orange Bowl to face Big 8 champion Nebraska. The Hurricanes dominated the Cornhuskers en route to a 22-0 victory that clinched at least a share of the national championship. Brown played sparingly but put up good numbers with 92 yards on 13 carries (7.0 average). Late in the game, NBC experienced technical difficulties due to a fire in the control room caused by short circuiting as a result of the rain falling during the game. The video feed was not off for long, but the audio feed had to be switched to that of the Japanese broadcast. Studio hosts Paul Maguire and Gayle Gardner attempted to call the game from the studio.The AP poll had the Hurricanes at #1 since their win over Florida State. But the coaches poll had a tie between the Hurricanes and the University of Washington. The Huskies beat the University of Michigan convincingly in the Rose Bowl, 34-14, setting the stage for a close vote the following morning. The AP poll kept Miami at #1 giving Brown his 2nd National Championship and Miami their 4th. But the coaches poll tilted in Washington's favor giving them a split. Brown finished the year having rushed for 285 yards on 62 carries (4.5 average) and 5 touchdowns.

Professional career

Brown was drafted in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He joined other University of Miami notables Bernie Kosar and Vinnie Testaverde there. Brown played a mostly backup. Brown would go on to play for Cleveland for four years before the franchise was moved to Baltimore, where it became the Baltimore Ravens. He played one season for the Ravens before retiring.