He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini and was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL draft.
As a sophomore, he was named the starter at middle linebacker, led the Big Ten Conference in tackles with 155 and became the leader of the Illini defense.
As a senior, despite mid-season back and ankle injuries, he finished with 155 tackles (second in the conference), 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, one sack and one fumble recovery.
[1] He also received the 1991 Hula Bowl defensive MVP award, after making 9 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Brownlow was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (132nd overall) of the 1991 NFL draft, after dropping because concerns with his size.
[2] As a rookie, he had an impact playing on the special teams units, which included blocking a punt that helped upset the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Playoff win.
Upon retiring from the NFL, he earned an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and is the owner of several businesses in Indianapolis.