Bob Brown (offensive lineman)

Robert Stanford Brown (December 8, 1941 – June 16, 2023), nicknamed "the Boomer", was an American football offensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1973. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning unanimous All-American honors. Brown was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the second overall pick in the 1964 NFL draft. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, he played for the Eagles from 1964 to 1968, the Los Angeles Rams from 1969 to 1970, and the Oakland Raiders from 1971 to 1973. Brown was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Early life and college career
Brown was born on December 8, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he later attended East Technical High School.

At the University of Nebraska, Brown was a backup as an offensive lineman and outside linebacker in Bill Jennings' final season as the Cornhuskers' coach in 1961. Brown became a starter in 1962 under coach Bob Devaney. Brown preserved a 36–34 win in the 1962 Gotham Bowl, the program's first bowl win, with an interception in the final minute. As a senior in 1963, he was a unanimous All-American selection at guard, helping Nebraska win their first conference championship since 1940. The Cornhuskers' first Black All-American, Brown was voted the offensive lineman of the year by the Washington D.C. Touchdown Club. He also earned his second consecutive all-conference selection in the Big Eight.

Professional career
Brown was selected in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the second overall pick. The contract he signed with the team had a $100,000 signing bonus. After his rookie season in 1964, Brown was named to the NFL All-Rookie team and earned second-team All-Pro honors. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1965 and 1966 during his five-season career with the Eagles.

After asking for a trade from the Eagles, Brown was sent to the Los Angeles Rams in a five-player exchange on May 12, 1969. The Eagles traded Brown, along with cornerback Jim Nettles, to the Rams in exchange for offensive tackle Joe Carollo, guard Don Chuy, and defensive back Irv Cross.

Brown was traded by the Rams to the Oakland Raiders, along with two draft picks, in exchange for offensive tackle Harry Schuh and cornerback Kent McCloughan on June 23, 1971. He played three seasons for the Raiders, teaming on the offensive line with fellow future Pro Football Hall of Famers Art Shell, Gene Upshaw, and Jim Otto. During the 1971 season, another eventual Hall of Famer, Ron Mix played his final pro season as Brown's backup at right tackle.

Brown was named a first-team All-Pro during five of his ten NFL seasons. Named the NFL/NFC offensive lineman of the year three times, Brown was also selected to the Pro Bowl six times: thrice with the Eagles, twice with the Rams, and once with the Raiders.

Awards and honors
In 1993, Brown was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. A member of the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Brown's No. 64 was retired by the University of Nebraska in 2004.

Personal life and death
Brown was married to Cecelia and had a son, Robert Jr. His son was his presenter at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Brown had a stroke in April 2023. Afterwards, he lived in a rehabilitation center in Oakland, California, where he died on June 16, 2023, at the age of 81.