He played as a wide receiver and return specialist for 15 seasons in the NFL, spending his entire career with the Patriots.
Brown played college football at Marshall University and was selected by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft.
During his New England tenure, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2001 and was a member of the franchise's first three Super Bowl-winning teams.
[4] The following year, Marshall claimed its first national championship with Brown as its primary wide receiver and returner.
[7] He was waived as a final cut in the 1994 pre-season by head coach Bill Parcells but was re-signed on October 19, 1994.
He also scooped up a blocked field goal attempt in that game, and made a lateral pass to teammate Antwan Harris, which completed a second special teams touchdown.
In 2004, he had only 17 receptions, but contributed in what was originally an emergency role on defense, ranking second on the team in interceptions with three.
A memorable moment for Brown came in a 2006 AFC Divisional Playoff game, when the Patriots met the favored San Diego Chargers.
Brown, making what teammate Tedy Bruschi described as a "quick mental switch" from offensive to defensive player, instinctively ripped the ball out of McCree's grasp.
New England went on to tie the score with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, and then won the game on a 31-yard field goal.
On September 25, 2008, Brown officially retired from professional football during a press conference alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick.
[17] On June 4, 2012, it was announced that Brown was elected to the Patriots Hall of Fame by fan vote, beating out former head coach Bill Parcells and safety Fred Marion.
[23] Brown, along with teammate Tom Brady, played himself on the Family Guy episode "Patriot Games".
Brown and his ex-wife Kimberly (who works as a chemist for the United States Army Corps of Engineers[26]), have two sons, Sir'mon and Saanjay.