Redskins Ring of Fame – Larry Brown
Larry Brown was as tough as the streets of the Pittsburgh steel town he was from. This fast, strong slashing halfback was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1969 in the 8th round of the NFL Draft. This Ring of Fame member was also selected to play in the Pro Bowl 4 times, was named to the 70 Greatest Redskins of All Time, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Touchdown Club Player of the Year in 1972. He led the conservative George Allen offense to the NFC East Championship and to the 1973 Super Bowl against the undefeated, perfect season, Miami Dolphins. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year in 1972.
Under the keen eye of Vince Lombardi, Brown had a hearing disorder that was discovered and corrected. Washington Redskins Head Coach Vince Lombardi had an ear piece installed inside Brown’s helmet so he could hear quarterback Sonny Jurgensen’s snap count which made him become one of the top rushers in the NFL. Brown spent his entire 8-year career solely with the Washington Redskins.
Under Head Coach George Allen, the running game set up the pass from 1971 to 1978. At RFK stadium, I personally attended the home games from 1970 to 1978. I am a witness to Brown’s toughness and powerful runs. In the snow watching our Redskins play the Philadelphia Eagles on December 16, 1973, I saw Larry Brown slash through the Eagles defense for 4 touchdowns. I saw him rush for almost 200 yards against the New York Giants. Even the mighty Dallas Cowboys and tough St. Louis Cardinals could not stop #43. I have seen him limp off the field after receiving punishing gang tackles and return to the field a play later. He had “functional speed” meaning he was fast with full pads on. My first-born child wore her Redskins number 43 jersey in her crib. I still have my #43 jersey that I bought along with my #87 Jerry Smith jersey.
How about these statistics? Larry Brown finished as a Top 5 rusher 5 times, most NFL rushing yards 3 times, also NFL yards from scrimmage 3 times, and total touchdowns twice. He was the first Washington Redskins running back to gain more than 1,000 yards in a season! I want younger Redskins fans to understand that the defenses back then were vicious with very few rules to protect the runners or receivers. There were no penalties for clotheslining, horse-collaring, and the protective pads and helmets were not today’s high quality.
Of course I am biased, but it is an honor to write about these Ring of Fame members, especially when I saw these players in action at RFK stadium and met most of them during the 1970’s. Larry Brown is my favorite running back because he was the featured back when I became a Redskins fan in 1969. I admired his toughness, humility, sacrifices, loyalty and dedication. Today, Larry Brown is actively “giving back to the community.” He has been supporting charities for the Washington Redskins and other non-profit organizations such as the Prince George’s County – Special Olympics Maryland, National Council on Disability, Friends of the National Zoo Advisory Committee, Coalition for the Homeless, Capital Children’s Museum, and the Washington Redskins Charity Golf Classic. HAIL. HTTR!
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