Troy Brown

Patriots legend and versatile playmaker who later became a coach for New England and the New York Giants.

Troy Fitzgerald Brown (born July 2, 1971) is an American professional football coach and former player who serves as an offensive assistant for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a wide receiver and return specialist for 15 seasons in the NFL, spending his entire career with the Patriots. Brown played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd and was selected by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft. During his New England tenure, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2001 and was a member of the franchise's first three Super Bowl-winning teams. In 2020, Brown rejoined the Patriots as an offensive assistant. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Brown also was inducted to the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2012.

Quick Facts

Career number: 80, 86
Born: 2 July 1971
Birthplace: Barnwell, South Carolina, U.S.
High school: Blackville–Hilda (Blackville, South Carolina)
College: Lees–McRae (1989–1990), Marshall (1991–1992)
Draft year: 1993
Draft round: 8
Draft pick: 198

Lore & Background

Brown attended Blackville–Hilda High School in Blackville, South Carolina. He was discouraged from playing football, as he was thought to be too small, starting at the size of 5'6", 135 lbs. Still, he lettered in football and track and field. His high school football team won a state championship in 1988 with a 14–1 record.

He attended Lees–McRae College before it became a 4-year college, from 1989–1990. He then played for Marshall University from 1991–1992, where he was a standout wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner, leading Division I-AA in both kickoff and punt return average in 1991. The following year, Marshall claimed its first national championship with Brown as its primary wide receiver and returner. In the championship game, Brown sealed the win by intercepting a Hail Mary pass.

His career kickoff return average (29.69 yards per return) still stands as an NCAA record, as do his four kickoff returns for touchdowns. He scored one touchdown for every eight times he touched the football. In 2006, Brown was given a distinguished alumni award by Marshall.

Reader's Guide

Brown was drafted by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft (198th overall). He was waived in the 1994 pre-season but re-signed on October 19, 1994. He started seeing time as a wide receiver in 1995. In 2001, he set the franchise record for receptions (101) and earned his only Pro Bowl trip.

He is the Patriots' all-time leading punt returner (252 returns, 2,625 yards, 3 touchdowns) and third all-time in receptions (557) and receiving yards (6,366). He holds the Super Bowl record for most punt returns in a career (8). He is the only player in NFL history with at least 550 receptions, 250 punt returns, and an interception. Brown was released on March 1, 2005, for salary cap reasons but signed a new contract on May 23, 2005.

He retired on September 25, 2008. He began coaching in an unofficial capacity with the Patriots in 2019, officially joined the coaching staff in 2020 as running backs/kick returners coach, became wide receivers/kick returners coach in 2021, moved to a skills development role in 2024, and was hired by the New York Giants as an offensive assistant in 2025.

Did You Know?

In the 2001 AFC Championship Game, Brown returned a punt for a touchdown and also scooped up a blocked field goal and lateraled to Antwan Harris for another special teams touchdown.
Brown played emergency defense in 2004, ranking second on the team in interceptions with three.
He has a cameo in the 2012 film The Three Stooges alongside Jerod Mayo.