Larry Brown

The unlikely 12th-round pick who became Super Bowl XXX MVP with two second-half interceptions.

Larry Brown Jr., born November 30, 1969, is an American former professional football player who played cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders. After earning All-city honors in high school, he began his college career at Los Angeles Southwest College as a running back before moving to cornerback. He later transferred to Texas Christian University (TCU), where he was named MVP of the 1990 Blue–Gray Football Classic. Selected by the Cowboys in the 12th round (320th overall) of the 1991 NFL draft, Brown surprised coaches with his play despite a brief departure from training camp. He became the first Cowboys rookie to start at cornerback since Ron Francis in 1987 and was named to the NFL All-rookie team.

Quick Facts

Position: Cornerback
Born: 30 November 1969
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, U.S.
High school: Los Angeles (Los Angeles, California)
College: Los Angeles Southwest (1987–1988), TCU (1989–1990)
Draft year: 1991
Draft round: 12
Draft pick: 320

Lore & Background

He quit training camp for a few days and suffered a brief hospitalization thought to be appendicitis before proving his worth in the fourth game. Passing Manny Hendrix on the depth chart at right cornerback, he posted 68 tackles, two interceptions, and 18 passes defensed as an All-rookie. By 1992, he formed the league's youngest starting cornerback duo with Kevin Smith, leading the NFL with 11 passes defensed. His career peaked during the 1995 season when he recorded six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. In Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brown earned MVP honors by making two critical second-half interceptions that the Cowboys converted into touchdowns to secure a victory and prevent a comeback.

Reader's Guide

After his Super Bowl MVP performance, Brown's career trajectory changed drastically. He signed a massive deal with the Oakland Raiders but was demoted to a backup role in 1997 and suspended four weeks for "conduct detrimental to the team." Waived on June 3, 1998, after playing only 12 games (one start) over two years, he became widely considered one of the NFL's biggest free agent busts. He briefly joined the Minnesota Vikings in June 1998 but was released with an injury settlement on August 30 due to a hamstring issue. Brown returned to the Dallas Cowboys on December 2, 1998, to provide depth, playing four final games before retiring. His career totals include 14 interceptions (210 return yards, two touchdowns) and two fumble recoveries.

Did You Know?

Brown played himself in an episode of Married... with Children and appeared on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update in a 1996 episode hosted by Danny Aiello.
His son Kameron Brown transferred from Texas A&M to UCLA for the 2021 season after announcing it on Twitter in November 2020.