Tribute to Troy

Let's be honest...Canton, Ohio's NFL Hall of Fame is, for the most part, a place for superstars who care about the stats and put themselves first. The NFL has a lot of proud, overpaid pre-madonnas who are too good to be disciplined. You won't find the situational player who plays when the coach tells him to. You find the whiner who doesn't get the #&@* ball. And you won't find the player who busts his butt in practice, you find the guy who had turf toe all week so he couldn't practice, but of course played Sunday's game. You find the specialized monsters who have perfected their skills, you won't find the player who plays 4 positions. I would love to see this jersey hanging in the Hall of Fame one day, but it's just not going to happen. Or is it?

Troy Brown is everything most NFL players aren't. He's unselfish, humble, a team player, willing to listen to his coach, versatile, grateful. And what has that got him? Just check out his fingers, the man has three Super Bowl rings. He's the player every NFL coach would love to have, because he doesn't have to be on the field all the time--but if you need him to be, he will. He'll play WR, he'll be used as a RB, he'll return punts, he'll return kickoffs, he'll be on special teams coverage, he'll even play DB when your secondary is pummelled by injury(he was also on the depth chart as QB during the preseason one year). An NBA coach recently was asked about the chances his team has this year. He said "Well, if my players are worried about how many minutes they are getting, this will be a tough year. If they are here to win, then we will in great shape". I'm sure Troy Brown could play point if needed.

The thing I love about Troy Brown is he's the smallest guy on the field. I was always worried someone was going to break him. Yet, he always did his job and whenever the Pats needed a big play, he made it. How many times did he return a punt for a TD in the playoffs? Seems like more than once. And how about that play against the Chargers in '06 during the playoffs when Brady got picked and then Brown forced the fumble and the Pats recovered the ball! Amazing. Big players step up in big games.

But listen to this. Patriots all time leader in receptions with 557. Three-time Super Bowl Champion. Over 6,300 receiving yards. One of the faces of the Patriots franchise that has carried the NFL for the last 10 years. In 2000, 83 rec...2001, 101 rec...2002, 97 rec...that's 281 catches in 3 years! Not only did he put up amazing numbers, he overcame all the odds. Troy Brown is a black man's Rudy--but better. He was drafted in the 8th round of the 1993 draft, 198th pick out of 224. He was subsequently cut in the preseason but then signed later that year. He continually had to prove himself.

I would never have classified Troy as physically big, man, I always thought he looked so skinny with those pads on, but look at him without pads.

The dude is ripped!

Listen, I get, I get it. He's not a sexy player. When he retired, ESPN was nice enough to mention it in passing. He is not the story that sells. And that is exactly why are society is going to pot. We give all the air time to fools who have no morals, no dignity, no respect, no gratitude, and we leave the Troy Browns of the world hanging out to dry.

Troy Brown, I am going to miss you. You were a breath of fresh air. A player who wasn't cocky, who actually cared about the team, who never said I, it was always "we" or "us". He would do anything, at any time, in any position on the field. He turned down more money as a free agent to stay with him team--a true novelty these days. He was the symbol of the Patriot franchise--and will remain so for a long time. Forget Tom Brady--give me another Troy Brown(well, I'll take Brady back too).

What do you think? Express your opinion in our poll on the sidebar. Should Troy Brown receive Hall of Fame consideration?