Born in 1937, Brown's path to football stardom wasn't conventional. Initially aiming to improve his grades to transfer to a bigger school, he enrolled at Maryland State College (now Maryland Eastern Shore). There, his raw athleticism blossomed. He led his team to a CIAA championship in 1957 and earned NAIA All-American honors in 1958 and 1959.

Despite his collegiate success, some teams questioned his size (6'2", 260 lbs) for the professional level. The Detroit Lions, however, saw his potential. Drafted in the fourth round of the 1960 NFL Draft, Brown quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Playing alongside future Hall of Famer Alex Karras, he formed a dominant defensive line that helped revolutionize the 4-3 defense.

Brown's impact was immediate. He earned All-Pro honors five times in his first six seasons, a testament to his dominance. His relentless pursuit, ability to disrupt plays, and knack for sacking quarterbacks transformed the Lions' defense. While sacks weren't officially recorded until 1982, it's widely believed Brown amassed an impressive total throughout his career. He was known to say, "I never missed a game, I had broken hands and broken bones. But probably not as many as I caused."

Beyond his individual accolades, Brown's presence elevated the performance of his teammates. His leadership and work ethic set the standard for the Lions' defense. Although the Lions never quite reached the Super Bowl stage, Brown's impact was undeniable.

In 1970, a trade sent Brown to the Los Angeles Rams, where he continued his reign of terror for four more seasons. He retired in 1974 after a remarkable ten-year career, having played in 138 games and establishing himself as one of the most feared defensive players of his era.