Jerry Brown

Jerry Jerome Brown Jr. (October 20, 1987 – December 8, 2012) was an American football linebacker who played for five teams in the National Football League, Arena Football League and Canadian Football League. In college, he played on the defensive line for the University of Illinois. In his professional career, he was a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, the Jacksonville Sharks and San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League and the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed as a free agent by the Jacksonville Sharks in 2011; in the team's ArenaBowl XXIV victory, he had one tackle assist, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Early years Brown played football at Vashon High School, helping his team win three St. Louis Public High League titles and three Missouri district championships. His best year came as a senior in 2005, recording 97 tackles, 13 sacks and one interception. During his high school career, he was a two-time Public High League Defensive MVP and a first-team All-Public High League Conference selection. As a senior, he received PrepStar All-America honors, was named to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch first-team All-Metro squad and was a Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Class 5 first-team all-state choice. He was the 11th-ranked high school recruit in Missouri and 53rd-ranked defensive end in the nation according to Rivals.com. College career In 2006, Brown accepted a football scholarship to the University of Illinois. He was redshirted as a freshman and by the end of the season he would go on to be named the team's defensive scout player of the year. As a sophomore, he played in 13 games and had 2.5 sacks during Illinois' run to the 2008 Rose Bowl.