Senate Resolution 47

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF FORMER NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND OLE MISS FOOTBALL STAR ALLEN BROWN OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS MISSISSIPPI HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL CAREER.

WHEREAS, we join the family and Natchez community in mourning the passing of former NFL and Ole Miss football standout Allen Brown of Natchez on January 27, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Allen Brown was a standout Natchez High School football player and went on to play for the Ole Miss Rebels under Coach Johnny Vaught before being drafted into the NFL by the Green Bay Packers and the San Diego Chargers in 1965. Brown, who played tight end, eventually signed and went on to play for the Green Bay Packers, the team that won Super Bowl I in 1967 against the Kansas City Chiefs; and

WHEREAS, one of eleven children, Brown wanted to sign with nearby LSU but his brothers and Ole Miss Assistant Coach Ray Poole, from the Homochitto, Mississippi, community, convinced him to become a Rebel; and

WHEREAS, in six college and professional seasons, Brown played on one College National Championship Team and two Super Bowl Championship Teams. His roommate with the Packers was future Alabama and Kentucky Head Coach Bill Curry. Allen was coached by two Hall of Famers, Johnny Vaught at Ole Miss and Vince Lombardi at Green Bay; and

WHEREAS, in 1962, Brown and the Rebels went 10-0, won the Sugar Bowl and were recognized as National Champions. Brown was Ole Miss' third-leading receiver in the 1962 season, with 134 yards on 11 receptions and one touchdown. Brown and the Rebels returned to the Sugar Bowl the next two years, defeating Arkansas 17-13, then losing to Alabama 12-7. Brown's two sons, Tim and Burkes Brown, and his grandson, Ben Brown, all played football at Ole Miss; and

WHEREAS, Allen Brown's high school career at Natchez High School (1958-1961): lettered in football, basketball and track; second-team All-Big Eight Conference end, 1960; first-team All-Big Eight Conference end, 1961; and

WHEREAS, his college career at University of Mississippi (1961-1964): National Champions (Litkenhous ratings; ranked #3 nationally); SEC Champions (1962); named All-SEC Sophomore Team; Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas on January 1, 1963; SEC Champions (ranked #7 nationally) (1963); first-team All-SEC, Associated Press (1963); second-team All-SEC, United Press International (1963); first-team All-America by the Associated Press, Time Magazine, The Sporting News and Playboy Magazines (1964); first-team All-SEC, Associated Press and United Press International (1964); Co-Captain of team (1964); Blue-Gray Game (1964); Senior Bowl (1965); and College All-Star Game (1965); and

WHEREAS, his professional career at Green Bay Packers (1965-1967): member first two Super Bowl Championship Teams (1966, 1967); severely injured near end of season and subsequently retired (1967); and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a Mississippi sports legend who has brought great honor to his community and to the State of Mississippi which he loved:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the condolences of the Mississippi Senate to the surviving family of former National Football League and Ole Miss Football Star Allen Brown of Natchez, Mississippi, and pay tribute to his Mississippi Hall of Fame football career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Allen Brown, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Natchez and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.