The Morgan State University family has lost a legend. Morgan State and NFL Hall of Fame football player Roosevelt Brown died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 71 in Mansfield Township, NJ on Wednesday evening.
Brown was a key part of some monster Morgan squads during the early 1950's. He played for legendary Morgan coach Eddie Hurt, and developed into one of the best linemen in the country. He was one of MSU's first ever "Small College All-Americans in 1952. Brown graduated from Morgan in 1953, and became one of the first players ever drafted by the NFL from an Historically Black College. He was selected in the 27th round of the '53 draft by the New York Giants. At 6-3 and 250 pounds, the Charlottesville, VA native would blossom into the most physically imposing players of his day. Roosevelt combined tremendous size and strength with outstanding quickness and great football instincts. "Rosey" went on to carve out a Hall Of Fame career in the NFL, as he helped to redefined the offensive tackle position. In addition to his pass-blocking abilities, he also could pull and lead running plays, something even many of today's tackles almost never do.
Reportedly, police were called to Brown's home in Mansfield Township on Wednesday evening. Burlington Couty Police Chief Jim Humble says Brown was not breathing when officers reached the scene. CPR was attempted, but the former players was pronounced dead at an area hospital.
Brown was an NFL All-Pro selection eight consecutive seasons (1956-1963), and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975. He is one of four former Morgan Bears who are enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The other MSU Hall of Famers are Len Ford, Willie Lanier and Leroy Kelly.
Brown was named the league's lineman of the year in 1956, and helped to shred the Chicago Bears defense in the Giants 47-7 win in the NFL Championship Game.
After retiring as a player in 1965, Brown was named the teams assistant offensive line coach in '66 and later joined the scouting department.
Brown was a fixture at Giants training camp through 2003. He typically watched the lineman go through their drills and often was accompanied by co-owner Wellington Mara. Mr. Mara had a special place in his heart for Brown and other players from that special era in Giant history.
Brown is survived by his wife Linda.