Willie Brown
Class of 1984
Years as Raiders: 1967-1978
Years Played: 1963-1978
College: Grambling
Position: CB
Born: December 2, 1940

 

Career Highlights

AFL All-Star 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969
AFC-NFC
Pro Bowl 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
Honors AFL All-Time Team
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team

Biography

Willie Brown played collegiate football at Grambling University and was not drafted by any professional team after leaving school in 1963. He was signed by the Houston Oilers of the American Football League but was cut from the team during training camp.

He was then signed by the AFL's Denver Broncos and became a starter by the middle of his rookie season. He won All-AFL honors in his second season and played in the AFL All-Star Game, recording 9 interceptions for 144 yards.

In 1967, Brown was traded to the AFL's Oakland Raiders and would spend the remainder of his career there. He served as defensive captain for 10 of his 12 years with the team. He was named to 5 AFL All-Star games and 4 NFL Pro Bowls. He was also named All-AFL 3 times and All-NFL 4 times.

Perhaps Brown's most memorable moment as a Raider came during Super Bowl XI, when he intercepted a Fran Tarkenton pass and returned it a Super Bowl-record 75 yards for a touchdown. His record would stand for 29 years until it was broken by Kelly Herndon's 76-yard interception return in Super Bowl XL.

Willie Brown retired after the 1978 season, and finished his Raiders career with 39 interceptions, tied for first all-time on the team. Overall, he finished his 16 Pro Football seasons with 54 interceptions, which he returned for 472 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also recovered 3 fumbles.

He is a member of the American Football League All-Time Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 28, 1984, his first year of eligibility. In 1999, he was ranked number 50 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranking Raider player.

Records and Awards

* All-AFL Team (1964)
* Five AFL All-Star Games (1964-65, 1967-69)
* Named to the All-Time AFL Team in 1969
* Four AFC-NFC Pro Bowls (1970-73)
* Named to the Pro Football 25-year All-Star team
* Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984
* Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1992
* Inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1994
* Previously held Super Bowl record for longest interception (75 yards, Super Bowl XI), now held by Tennessee Titans Cornerback Kelly Herndon (76 yards, Super Bowl XL)
* Oakland Raiders franchise leader for interceptions (39, t-1st)

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