Barry Brown (American football)

Joseph Barry Brown (April 17, 1943- February 6, 2020) was an American former college and professional football player who was a linebacker and tight end in the National Football League (NFL) and American Football League (AFL) for five seasons during the 1960s and early 1970s. Brown played college football for the University of Florida, and was drafted in nineteenth round of the 1965 NFL Draft. He played professionally for the Baltimore Colts, New York Giants and Boston Patriots.

Early years
Brown was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Ann Arbor High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and he played for the Ann Arbor Pioneers high school football team.

College career
Brown attended the University of Florida, where he played for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators football team, lettering in 1964 and 1965. In the mid-1960s, when college football rules still required players to play both ways, Brown played linebacker on defense and tight end on offense. As a senior in 1965, he was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection. Memorably, he caught nine passes from Gators quarterback Steve Spurrier in the 1966 Sugar Bowl—which remains tied for the third-most receptions in a single game in Gators history. He graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in health and human performance in 1965.

Professional career
The Baltimore Colts selected Brown in the 19th round (266th pick overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft, and he played the linebacker position for the Colts in 1966 and 1967. He played in twenty-four regular season games for the Colts, all off the bench. In 1968, he played twelve games at linebacker for the New York Giants. Brown played for the Boston Patriots in 1969 and 1970, appeared in twenty-one games as a tight end and started twelve of them. In two seasons as an offensive lineman and eligible receiver, he caught twenty-one passes for 214 yards.