Derek Brown (tight end)

Derek Vernon Brown (born March 31, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL).

College football career
Brown attended high school at Merritt Island High School and played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In his final two seasons at Notre Dame, he recorded 37 catches for 545 yards and five touchdowns.

NFL career
Brown was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick in the 1992 NFL draft by the New York Giants. As a rookie, he recorded four catches for 31 yards, and in his second season, he made seven catches for 56 yards. In 1994, Brown mostly played on special teams.

Brown was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 NFL expansion draft. He missed the entire 1995 season after a hit by Denver Broncos safety Tim Hauck during a preseason game. Brown suffered bruised ribs, a collapsed lung and damage to his spleen and kidney. He spent 10 days in the hospital and recovered in a wheelchair. Despite the injuries, Brown's best season came in 1996 with the Jacksonville Jaguars when he recorded 17 catches for 141 yards. In 1997, he caught eight passes for 84 yards and one touchdown. In 1998, Brown joined the Oakland Raiders, with whom he started four games and recorded seven catches for 89 yards.

Post-football
Brown now resides in Clifton Park, New York with his daughter Sydney and his son Reece.