He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, where he was recognized as an All-American.
He was a first-round pick in the 1979 NFL draft, and played for the Minnesota Vikings.
[1] By the time Brown graduated from North Carolina State University in 1978, he had set the Atlantic Coast Conference career rushing record with 4,602 yards and the single game rushing record with 251 yards against Penn State in 1977.
The injury required surgery to remove bullet and wood fragments from his upper thigh.
After retiring from football, Brown became a juvenile probation officer in Saint Paul, Minnesota.