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John Brown (wide receiver)

John Brown (born April 3, 1990), nicknamed "Smokey" or "Smoke,"[1] is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Pittsburg State Gorillas and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He has also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

John Brown
refer to caption
Brown with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1990-04-03) April 3, 1990 (age 34)
Florida City, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:178 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:Homestead (Homestead, Florida)
College:Pittsburg State
Position:Wide receiver
NFL draft:2014 / round: 3 / pick: 91
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:321
Receiving yards:4,790
Receiving touchdowns:32
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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A native of Homestead, Florida, Brown attended Homestead High School, where he played high school football.[2] He was named an All-Dade County selection as a senior in 2007.[3]

College career

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Mars Hill

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In 2008, Brown enrolled at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina.[4] Brown was named the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Freshman of the Year, after catching 27 passes for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while leading the team with 1,472 all-purpose yards. Due to academic troubles, he sat out the 2009 season before transferring to Coffeyville Community College in 2010, but he was redshirted.

Unable to play at Coffeyville, Brown considered a transfer to MidAmerica Nazarene University, where his half-brother James Walker had played. Before Brown and Walker could play together, however, Walker was shot multiple times in July 2010 and died in April 2011 from his injuries. Walker's ailing condition and eventual demise motivated Brown to keep playing football despite his past hardships, and he eventually earned a scholarship to play for Pittsburg State University.[5][6]

Pittsburg State

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In 2011, he was a second-team Associated Press (AP) Little All-American as all-purpose player while leading Pittsburg State to the NCAA Division II National Championship. He was named first-team All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) as kick returner and second-team All-MIAA as a wide receiver after he led his team with 61 receptions for 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2012, he was named a first-team AP Little All-American as an all-purpose player, and first-team All-MIAA as kick returner and wide receiver. He was named the MIAA and the NCAA Division II National Special Teams Player of the Year. Brown started 10 games and led team with 63 receptions for 973 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2013, he was named 2013 MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year as well as the NCAA Division II National Special Teams Player of the Year.[7] He was also named a second-team AP Little All-American as all-purpose player and first-team All-MIAA player as kick returner and wide receiver. He caught 61 passes for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He finished as Pitt State’s all-time leader in receptions (185), receiving yards (3,380) and receiving touchdowns (34). His 3,380 receiving yards ranks fifth in MIAA history. Between receiving, rushing and return yards, Brown finished his career with 7,716 all-purpose yards, 6,244 at Pitt State.[8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m) 		179 lb
(81 kg) 		30+1⁄2 in
(0.77 m) 		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		 4.34 s 1.56 s 2.55 s 4.12 s 6.91 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)		 9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		 8 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[9][10]

Arizona Cardinals

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2014 season

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Brown was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (91st overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.[11] Brown was the first Pittsburg State Gorilla drafted since Ronald Moore in 1993.[12]

In his debut for the Arizona Cardinals, Brown caught his first professional touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Carson Palmer against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1 of the 2014 season.[13] He followed that performance with his first multi-touchdown game two weeks later against the San Francisco 49ers.[14] On October 26, 2014, he caught a 75-yard game-winning touchdown pass to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.[15] In Week 10 of the 2014 NFL season, Brown became the first rookie in NFL history to have four-game-winning touchdowns in a season. Brown finished the season with 48 receptions on 103 targets for 696 yards and five touchdowns.[16] An injury to the Cardinal's quarterback, Palmer, caused a sharp decline in the team's offense. On January 3, 2015, in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Carolina Panthers, on the game's final offensive play, Brown was the final recipient of a multiple lateral play which lost 20 yards. The loss caused the Cardinals to finish the game with just 78 total offensive yards, the lowest total in NFL playoff history which broke a 56-year-old league record.[17]

2015 season

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Brown and the Cardinals enjoyed a terrific season, finishing the regular season at 13–3. Brown concluded the regular season with 65 receptions on 101 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.[18] The Cardinals ultimately lost in the NFC Championship to the Panthers.[19]

2016 season

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Plagued with hamstring issues throughout the season,[20] Brown posted 39 receptions on 72 targets for 517 yards and two touchdowns in 2016.[21]

2017 season

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Brown's 2017 season was also plagued with injuries, dealing with quadriceps, back, and toe injuries. He played in 10 games with five starts, recording 21 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns.[22]

Baltimore Ravens

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On March 13, 2018, Brown signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.[23][24]

After scoring his first Ravens touchdown in the season-opener against the Buffalo Bills, he would go on to record 92 yards and his second touchdown (a 21-yard reception) against the Cincinnati Bengals the next game.[25][26] In Week 4, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded three receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the victory.[27] He finished the season with 42 receptions for a team-leading 715 yards and five touchdowns.[28][29]

Buffalo Bills (first stint)

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2019 season

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On March 13, 2019, Brown signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Bills.[30]

During the season opener against the New York Jets on September 8, 2019, Brown finished with seven receptions for 123 yards, including the go-ahead 38-yard touchdown reception in a 17–16 win after trailing 16–0.[31] In a Week 7 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Brown caught a go-ahead touchdown from Josh Allen in the fourth quarter, giving Buffalo a 17–14 lead. The Bills would go on to win 31–21 as Brown caught five passes for 83 yards and the touchdown. During the rematch with the Dolphins in Week 11, Brown finished with 137 receiving yards and two touchdowns as the Bills won 37–20.[32] During the Thanksgiving Series against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, Brown completed one pass for a 28 yard touchdown to rookie running back Devin Singletary. Brown also finished with 26 receiving yards himself as the Bills won 26–15.[33] During a 17–10 Week 15 win over the Steelers, Brown helped the Bills to victory with seven catches for 99 yards, as the Bills clinched a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons.[34] In Week 16 against the New England Patriots, Brown caught one pass for a 53-yard touchdown during the 24–17 loss. Brown's touchdown reception was the first one allowed by All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore all season.[35] Overall, he finished the 2019 season with 72 receptions for 1,060 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.[36]

In the AFC Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans, Brown caught four passes for 50 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Josh Allen during the 22–19 overtime loss.[37]

2020 season

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In a season opening 27–17 victory over the Jets, Brown was targeted ten times, catching six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.[38] In his third game of the year, Brown suffered an injury to his calf.[39] In Week 10, Brown suffered a high ankle sprain and was placed on injured reserve on November 28, 2020.[40] He was activated from injured reserve and subsequently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 28, 2020.[41] He was activated from the COVID list four days later.[42] He played in Buffalo's season finale against the Dolphins, catching four passes for 72 yards a one touchdown in Buffalo's 56–26 win.[43] Overall, Brown finished the 2020 season with 33 receptions for 458 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.[44]

In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Brown received eight receptions for a total of 62 yards in the 17–3 victory over the Ravens.[45]

On March 10, 2021, Brown was released by the Bills.[46]

Las Vegas Raiders

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On March 19, 2021, Brown signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.[47][48] He was released on August 31, 2021.[49]

Denver Broncos

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On October 12, 2021, the Denver Broncos signed Brown to their practice squad.[50] He was released on October 26, 2021.[51]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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On November 8, 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Brown to their practice squad.[52] He was released on November 29, 2021.[53]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On January 13, 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Brown to their practice squad.[54] On January 22, 2022, he was elevated to the active roster.[55] His contract expired when the team’s season ended on January 23, 2022.

Buffalo Bills (second stint)

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On November 26, 2022, Brown returned to the Bills, signing to the practice squad.[56] In Week 18 against the New England Patriots, Brown caught a 42–yard touchdown pass as his first, and only, catch of the season.[57] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 22, 2023.

NFL career statistics

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Regular Season

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Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Passing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Cmp Att Yds Avg TD Fum Lost
2014 ARI 16 5 48 696 14.5 75T 5 3 −6 −2 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2015 ARI 15 11 65 1,003 15.4 68 7 3 22 7.3 13 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 1 1
2016 ARI 15 6 39 517 13.3 30 2 1 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 1 0
2017 ARI 10 5 21 299 14.2 52 3 1 10 10.0 10 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2018 BAL 16 15 42 715 17.0 71 5 3 4 1.3 3 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2019 BUF 15 15 72 1,060 14.7 53 6 2 7 3.5 4 0 1 1 28 28.0 1 0 0
2020 BUF 9 8 33 458 13.9 46 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2021 DEN 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
JAX 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
TB 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2022 BUF 3 0 1 42 42.0 42 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Total 103 65 321 4,790 14.9 75 32 13 47 3.6 13 0 1 1 28 28.0 1 2 1

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Passing Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD Cmp Att Yds Avg TD Fum Lost
2014 ARI 1 0 4 34 8.5 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2015 ARI 2 2 7 105 15.0 21 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2018 BAL 1 1 2 14 7.0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2019 BUF 1 1 4 50 12.5 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 16 16.0 1 0 0
2020 BUF 3 3 10 86 8.6 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2021 TB 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
2022 BUF 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0
Total 11 7 27 289 10.7 28 0 1 2 2.0 2 0 1 1 16 16.0 1 0 0

Personal life

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All of Brown's family and friends refer to him by his nickname, Smokey. The name was bestowed on him at birth by the boyfriend of his grandmother. “She nicknamed me Smokey because when I first came out, I was blacker than what I am now,” Brown said, referring to his skin color. “Most people are like, ‘Why they call you Smokey? Because you are fast?’ But no.” [58]

Brown was diagnosed with sickle cell trait in 2016 after suffering from soreness in his hamstrings. He insisted a cyst on his spine he had treated during the 2016 season was the root cause of his leg issues and that the sickle cell trait will not affect his football career.[59]

References

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  1. ^ Downing, Garrett (March 18, 2018). "5 Things to Know About John Brown". www.baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "John Brown, Homestead , Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  3. ^ Brown, John (August 7, 2018). "Secret Weapon". The Players' Tribune. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  4. ^ "John Brown". Mars Hill Lions. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  5. ^ Smolka, Bo (September 25, 2018). "Ravens Receiver John Brown Plays For His Late Half-Brother". PressBox Online Baltimore. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  6. ^ Downing, Garrett (March 18, 2018). "5 Things to Know About John Brown". www.baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "Brown named MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year". Morning Sun. November 19, 2013. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  8. ^ Young, Jerod (August 4, 2014). "Brown gives Cardinals speed at wide receiver". The Glendale Star. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  9. ^ "John Brown Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  10. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Scout John Brown College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  11. ^ "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "Pittsburg St. Players/Alumni". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "Carson Palmer's late touchdown pass to John Brown gives Arizona Cardinals 18–17 win over San Diego Chargers". OregonLive.com. Associated Press. September 9, 2014. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  14. ^ Green, Adam (September 22, 2014). "Rookie John Brown scores twice, leads Arizona Cardinals to win over 49ers – Arizona Sports". Arizona Sports. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  15. ^ Hartstein, Larry (October 26, 2014). "Rookie John Brown burns Eagles with late 75-yard score". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "John Brown 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  17. ^ Strauss, Chris (January 4, 2015). "The Arizona Cardinals had the fewest offensive yards in NFL playoff history". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  18. ^ "John Brown 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "NFC Championship – Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers – January 24th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  20. ^ Weinfuss, Josh (October 21, 2016). "Cardinals' Bruce Arians: WR John Brown carries sickle-cell trait". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  21. ^ "John Brown 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  22. ^ "John Brown 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  23. ^ Downing, Garrett (March 14, 2018). "Ravens Sign Speedy Wide Receiver John Brown". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018.
  24. ^ Downing, Garrett (March 16, 2018). "John Brown Wanted a One-Year 'Prove-It' Deal". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
  25. ^ Mink, Ryan (September 9, 2018). "Ravens Offense, New Wide Receivers Start With a Bang". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  26. ^ Eisenburg, Wick (September 14, 2018). "Late for Work 9/14: Dissecting the Ravens' First Loss of the Season". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  27. ^ Mink, Ryan (October 1, 2018). "John Brown's Big Plays Open Up Ravens Offense in Pittsburgh". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  28. ^ "2018 Baltimore Ravens Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  29. ^ "John Brown 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  30. ^ Brown, Chris (March 13, 2019). "Offense dominates Bills initial wave of 2019 free agent additions". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  31. ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcell (September 8, 2019). "Bills QB Josh Allen shakes off turnovers, leads comeback vs. Jets". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  32. ^ Talbot, Ryan (November 17, 2019). "Josh Allen dominates Miami Dolphins in Buffalo Bills' 37–20 win (Week 11 report card)". New York Upstate. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  33. ^ "Trick TD sparks Bills in 26–15 Thanksgiving win over Cowboys". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  34. ^ "Allen's fourth-quarter TD clinches playoff spot for Bills". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  35. ^ "Patriots beat Bills 24–17, win 11th straight AFC East crown". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  36. ^ "John Brown 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  37. ^ "Texans roar past Bills for 22–19 win in OT". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  38. ^ "New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – September 13th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  39. ^ Wojton, Nick (October 2, 2020). "Bills WR John Brown anticipated to play vs. Raiders". Bills Wire. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  40. ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (November 28, 2020). "Buffalo Bills place WR John Brown on injured reserve". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  41. ^ "Bills activate John Brown and place him on Reserve/COVID-19 list". BuffaloBills.com. December 28, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  42. ^ Glab, Maddy (January 1, 2021). "Bills activate John Brown from Reserve/COVID-19 list + announce these other moves". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  43. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – January 3rd, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  44. ^ "John Brown 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  45. ^ "Divisional Round – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills – January 16th, 2021". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  46. ^ Glab, Maddy (March 10, 2021). "WR John Brown, DL Quinton Jefferson released". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  47. ^ Gutierrez, Paul; Louis-Jacques, Marcel (March 17, 2021). "Las Vegas Raiders reach one-year deal with receiver John Brown, source says". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  48. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders sign WR John Brown". Raiders.com. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  49. ^ "Raiders finalize initial 53-man roster for 2021 season". Raiders.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  50. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 12, 2021). "Broncos sign WR John Brown to practice squad". Broncos.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  51. ^ DiLalla, Aric (October 26, 2021). "Broncos designate TE Albert Okwuegbunam and LB Jonas Griffith for return from IR, make series of other roster moves". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  52. ^ "Roster Moves: 2 signed to practice squad, 1 released". Jaguars.com. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  53. ^ "Roster Moves: WR John Brown released". Jaguars.com. November 29, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  54. ^ Smith, Scott (January 13, 2022). "Bucs Add WR John Brown to Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  55. ^ "Buccaneers' John Brown: Elevated from practice squad". CBSSports.com. January 22, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  56. ^ "Bills make 4 roster moves". BuffaloBills.com. November 26, 2022.
  57. ^ Dimmitt, Zach (January 8, 2023). "Bills WATCH: Josh Allen Finds John Brown for Diving TD vs. Patriots". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  58. ^ Urban, Darren (September 29, 2014). "Smokey Brown and his statue". Arizona Cardinals. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  59. ^ Hensley, Jamison (March 19, 2018). "Ravens' John Brown says sickle cell trait not affecting on-field production". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
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