Willie Brown
 William Ferdie Brown

William Ferdie Brown (Born December 2, 1940, in Yazoo City, Mississippi) is a retired American Football cornerback and is currently on the staff of the Oakland Raiders.

Born: December 2, 1940 in Yazoo City, Mississippi

"Combine all of Willie's skills and the result is what myths are made of. He is a marvel to watch, a true artist at work." A sportswriter once wrote this after observing Willie Brown dominate another game from the secondary during his 16-year career.

Not a bad description for an undrafted, unheralded free agent who in 1963, came out of Grambling College looking for a chance to prove he belonged.

After becoming a starter six games into his rookie season with the Denver Broncos, Brown began to show why he did belong. Four years and 15 interceptions later, Brown was dealt to the Oakland Raiders. That day began a string of success for both Brown and the Raiders rarely seen in the history of the NFL.

For 12 years, Willie dominated the secondary for the Raiders, picking off 46 passes while "blanketing" the other teams best receiver, even while playing hurt. In the process, Willie was becoming the unquestioned leader of a dominant Raiders' defense. That leader from humble beginnings was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Remembered mainly as a stellar cornerback for the Raiders who returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl XI, Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Playing career

Willie Brown played collegiate football at Grambling University and was not drafted by any professional team after leaving school in 1963. He was signed by the Houston Oilers of the AFL but was cut from the team during training camp. He was then signed by the Denver Broncos and became a starter by the middle of his rookie season. He won All-AFL honors in his second season and played in the AFL All-Star Game, recording 9 interceptions for 144 yards.

In 1967 Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders and would spend the remainder of his career there. He served as defensive captain for 10 of his 12 years with the team. Starting in 1967, he was also named to seven straight Pro Bowl squads (AFL & NFL). Perhaps Brown's most memorable moment as a Raider came during Super Bowl XI, when he intercepted a Fran Tarkenton pass and returned it a Super Bowl-record 75 yards for a touchdown. His record would stand for 29 years until it was broken by Kelly Herndon's 76-yard interception return in Super Bowl XL.

Willie Brown retired after the 1978 season, and finished his Raiders career with 39 interceptions, tied for first all-time on the team. Overall, he finished his 16 AFL/NFL seasons with 54 interceptions, which he returned for 472 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also recovered 3 fumbles.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 28, 1984, his first year of eligibility.

Coaching career

Brown served as a defensive backfield coach for the Raiders from 1979-88. He also had stints as the head at Long Beach State in 1991 and L.A. Jordan High School in 1994. In 1995 he returned to the Raiders as the Director of Staff Development.

Awards

• All-AFL Team (1964)
• Five AFL All-Star Games (1964-65, 1967-69)
• Named to the All-Time AFL Team in 1969
• Four NFL Pro Bowls (1970-73)
• Named to the AFL-NFL 25-year All-Star team
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984
• Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1992
• Inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1994

Records

• Previously held Super Bowl record for longest interception (75 yards, Super Bowl XI), now held by Seattle Seahawks Cornerback Kelly Herndon (76 yards, Super Bowl XL)
• Oakland Raiders franchise leader for interceptions (39, t-1st)

Career Highlights

• An undrafted rookie out of Grambling College in 1963, it took Brown all of six professional games to establish himself as a starting cornerback.
• He was named all-NFL in his second season.
• Traded to the Raiders prior to the 1967 season, the 12 years Brown played with them produced an overall record of 125-35-7 (best in pro football during that span) and nine title game appearances.
• He was named all-league seven times, including four Pro Bowl appearances.
• Brown appeared in two Super Bowls during his career, including a victory in Super Bowl XI.
• Perhaps best remembered for his 75-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Vikings in Super Bowl XI, Brown retired with 61 career interceptions (including postseason).
• Won the 1965 All-Star Game MVP Award.
• Named a member of the All-Time American Football League Team.
• He was elected to Hall of Fame in 1984.