John Brown (wide receiver)

John Brown (born April 3, 1990), nicknamed "Smokey" or "Smoke,"[1] is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Pittsburg State and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

John Brown
Brown with the Arizona Cardinals in 2014
No. 15 – Buffalo Bills
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1990-04-03) April 3, 1990
Florida City, Florida
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:178 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:Homestead
(Homestead, Florida)
College:Pittsburg State
Mars Hill
NFL Draft:2014 / Round: 3 / Pick: 91
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Receptions:320
Receiving yards:4,748
Receiving touchdowns:31
Return yards:170
Player stats at NFL.com

High school career

A native of Homestead, Florida, Brown attended Homestead High School, where he played high school football.[2] He was named an All-Dade County selection as a senior in 2007.[3]

College career

In 2008, Brown enrolled at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina.[4] Brown was named the SAC Freshman of the Year, after catching 27 passes for 619 yards and seven touchdowns while leading the team with 1,472 all-purpose yards. Due to academic troubles, he sat out the 2009 season before transferring to Coffeyville Community College in 2010, but he was redshirted.

Unable to play at Coffeyville, Brown considered a transfer to MidAmerica Nazarene University, where his half-brother James Walker had played. Before Brown and Walker could play together, however, Walker was shot multiple times in July 2010 and died in April 2011 from his injuries. Walker's ailing condition and eventual demise motivated Brown to keep playing football despite his past hardships, and he eventually earned a scholarship to play for Pittsburg State University.[5][6]

In 2011, he was a second-team AP Little All-American as all-purpose player while leading Pittsburg State to the NCAA Division II National Championship. He was named first-team All-MIAA as kick returner and second-team All-MIAA as a wide receiver after he led his team with 61 receptions for 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2012, he was named a first-team AP Little All-American as an all-purpose player, and first-team All-MIAA as kick returner and wide receiver. He was named the MIAA and the NCAA Division II National Special Teams Player of the Year. Brown started 10 games and led team with 63 receptions for 973 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2013, he was named 2013 MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year as well as the NCAA Division II National Special Teams Player of the Year.[7] He was also named a second-team AP Little All-American as all-purpose player and first-team All-MIAA player as kick returner and wide receiver. He caught 61 passes for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He finished as Pitt State’s all-time leader in receptions (185), receiving yards (3,380) and receiving touchdowns (34). His 3,380 receiving yards ranks fifth in MIAA history. Between receiving, rushing and return yards, Brown finished his career with 7,716 all-purpose yards, 6,244 at Pitt State.

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10 in
(1.78 m)		 179 lb
(81 kg)		 30 1⁄2 in
(0.77 m)		 8 1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		 4.34 s 4.12 s 6.91 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)		 9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		 25 reps
All values from NFL Combine[8]

2014 season

Brown was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (91st overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.[9] Brown was the first Pittsburg State Gorilla drafted since Ronald Moore in 1993.[10]

In his debut for the Arizona Cardinals, Brown caught his first professional touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Carson Palmer against the San Diego Chargers in Week 1 of the 2014 season.[11] He followed that performance with his first multi-touchdown game two weeks later against the San Francisco 49ers.[12] On October 26, 2014, he caught a 75-yard game-winning touchdown pass to beat the Philadelphia Eagles.[13] In Week 10 of the 2014 NFL season, John Brown became the first rookie in NFL history to have four-game-winning touchdowns in a season. Brown finished the season with 48 receptions on 103 targets for 696 yards and five touchdowns.[14] An injury to the Cardinal's QB, Carson Palmer, caused a sharp decline in the team's offense. On January 3, 2015, in the NFC Wild Card game against the Carolina Panthers, on the game's final offensive play, Brown was the final recipient of a multiple lateral play which lost 20 yards. The loss caused the Cardinals to finish the game with just 78 total offensive yards, the lowest total in NFL playoff history which broke a 56-year-old league record.[15]

2015 season

Brown and the Cardinals enjoyed a terrific season, finishing the regular season at 13-3. Brown concluded the regular season with 65 receptions on 101 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns.[16] The Cardinals ultimately lost in the NFC Championship game to the Carolina Panthers.[17]

2016 season

Plagued with hamstring issues throughout the season,[18] Brown posted 39 receptions on 72 targets for 517 yards and two touchdowns in 2016.[19]

2017 season

Brown's 2017 season was also plagued with injuries, dealing with quadriceps, back, and toe injuries. He played in 10 games with five starts, recording 21 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns.[20]

Baltimore Ravens

On March 13, 2018, Brown signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.[21][22]

After scoring his first Ravens touchdown in the season-opener against the Buffalo Bills, he would go on to record 92 yards and his second touchdown (a 21-yard reception) against the Cincinnati Bengals the next game.[23][24] In Week 4, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he recorded three receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the victory.[25] He finished the season with 42 receptions for a team-leading 715 yards and five touchdowns.[26]

2019 season

On March 13, 2019, Brown signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.[27]

During the season opener against the New York Jets on September 8, 2019, Brown finished with seven receptions for 123 yards, including the go-ahead 38-yard touchdown reception in a 17–16 win after trailing 16-0.[28] In a Week 7 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Brown caught a go-ahead touchdown from Josh Allen in the fourth quarter, giving Buffalo a 17–14 lead. The Bills would go on to win 31–21 as Brown caught five passes for 83 yards and the touchdown. During the rematch with the Dolphins in Week 11, Brown finished with 137 receiving yards and two touchdowns as the Bills won 37–20.[29] During the Thanksgiving Series against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, Brown completed one pass for a 28 yard touchdown to rookie running back Devin Singletary. Brown also finished with 26 receiving yards himself as the Bills won 26-15.[30] During a 17–10 Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brown helped the Bills to victory with seven catches for 99 yards, as the Bills clinched a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons.[31] In Week 16 against the New England Patriots, Brown caught one pass for a 53-yard touchdown during the 24–17 loss. Brown's touchdown reception was the first one allowed by All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore all season.[32] Overall, he finished the 2019 season with 72 receptions for 1,060 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.[33]

In the AFC Wild Card game against the Houston Texans, Brown caught four passes for 50 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Josh Allen during the 22–19 overtime loss.[34]

2020 season

In a season opening 27-17 victory over the New York Jets, Brown was targeted ten times, catching six passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.[35] In his third game of the year, Brown suffered an injury to his calf.[36] In Week 10, Brown suffered a high ankle sprain and was placed on injured reserve on November 28, 2020.[37] He was activated on January 1, 2021. He played in Buffalo's season finale against the Dolphins, catching four passes for 72 yards a one touchdown in Buffalo's 56-26 win. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Brown received 8 receptions for a total of 62 yards.

Career statistics
SeasonTeamGamesReceivingRushing Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDFUMLost
2014ARI 1654869614.575T53-6-22000
2015ARI 1511651,00315.46873227.313011
2016ARI 1563951713.33021101010010
2017ARI 1052129914.252311010.010000
2018BAL 16154271517.0715341.33000
2019BUF 1515721,06014.7536273.54000
2020BUF 983345813.94630000000
Total96653204,74814.8753013473.613021

Personal life

All of Brown's family and friends refer to him by his nickname, Smokey. The name was bestowed upon him at birth by the boyfriend of his grandmother. “She nicknamed me Smokey because when I first came out, I was blacker than what I am now,” Brown said, referring to his skin color. “Most people are like, ‘Why they call you Smokey? Because you are fast?’ But no.” [38]

Brown was diagnosed with sickle cell trait in 2016 after suffering from soreness in his hamstrings. He insisted a cyst on his spine that he had treated during the 2016 season was the root cause of his leg issues, and that the sickle cell trait will not affect his football career.[39]

References
  1. Downing, Garrett. "5 Things to Know About John Brown," BaltimoreRavens.com, Sunday, March 18, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2020
  2. "John Brown, Homestead , Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  3. Brown, John. "Secret Weapon". The Players' Tribune. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  4. "John Brown". Mars Hill Lions. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  5. Smolka, Bo (September 25, 2018). "Ravens Receiver John Brown Plays For His Late Half-Brother". PressBox Online Baltimore. Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  6. Downing, Garrett (March 18, 2018). "5 Things to Know About John Brown". www.baltimoreravens.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  7. "Brown named MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year". Morning Sun. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  8. "NFL Combine Results". NFL.com. NFL. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  9. "2014 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  10. "Pittsburg St. Players/Alumni". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  11. "Carson Palmer's late touchdown pass to John Brown gives Arizona Cardinals 18-17 win over San Diego Chargers". OregonLive.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  12. Green, Adam (September 22, 2014). "Rookie John Brown scores twice, leads Arizona Cardinals to win over 49ers - Arizona Sports". Arizona Sports. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  13. Hartstein, Larry (October 26, 2014). "Rookie John Brown burns Eagles with late 75-yard score". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  14. "John Brown 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  15. "The Arizona Cardinals had the fewest offensive yards in NFL playoff history". USA Today. January 4, 2015. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  16. "John Brown 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  17. "NFC Championship - Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers - January 24th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  18. "Cardinals' Bruce Arians: WR John Brown carries sickle-cell trait". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  19. "John Brown 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  20. "John Brown 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  21. Downing, Garrett (March 14, 2018). "Ravens Sign Speedy Wide Receiver John Brown". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018.
  22. Downing, Garrett (March 16, 2018). "John Brown Wanted a One-Year 'Prove-It' Deal". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018.
  23. Mink, Ryan (September 9, 2018). "Ravens Offense, New Wide Receivers Start With a Bang". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  24. Eisenburg, Wick (September 14, 2018). "Late for Work 9/14: Dissecting the Ravens' First Loss of the Season". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  25. Mink, Ryan (October 1, 2018). "John Brown's Big Plays Open Up Ravens Offense in Pittsburgh". BaltimoreRavens.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  26. "John Brown 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  27. Brown, Chris (March 13, 2019). "Offense dominates Bills initial wave of 2019 free agent additions". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  28. Louis-Jacques, Marcell (September 8, 2019). "Bills QB Josh Allen shakes off turnovers, leads comeback vs. Jets". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  29. Talbot, Ryan (November 17, 2019). "Josh Allen dominates Miami Dolphins in Buffalo Bills' 37-20 win (Week 11 report card)". New York Upstate. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  30. "Trick TD sparks Bills in 26-15 Thanksgiving win over Cowboys". www.espn.com. Associated Press. November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  31. "Allen's fourth-quarter TD clinches playoff spot for Bills". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  32. "Patriots beat Bills 24-17, win 11th straight AFC East crown". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  33. "John Brown 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  34. "Texans roar past Bills for 22-19 win in OT". www.espn.com. Associated Press. January 4, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  35. "New York Jets at Buffalo Bills - September 13th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  36. Wojton, Nick (October 2, 2020). "Bills WR John Brown anticipated to play vs. Raiders". Bills Wire.
  37. "Buffalo Bills place WR John Brown on injured reserve". ESPN. November 28, 2020.
  38. Urban, Darren (September 29, 2014). "Smokey Brown and his statue". Arizona Cardinals. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  39. Hensley, Jamison (March 19, 2018). "Ravens' John Brown says sickle cell trait not affecting on-field production". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
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