Bluejays Brown signs on with Green Bay Packers
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
For any athlete, making it with a professional team is a dream few achieve.
Coming from an NAIA school, especially one from the KCAC, is a long shot.
To make it in the National Football League is any football player's ultimate goal, and for the NAIA, it rarely occurs.
But former Bluejay fullback Ben Brown is living the dream for the moment after being signed May 8 by the legendary Green Bay Packers as a rookie free agent May 8.
The 25-year-old Brown joins former Bluejay legend Rolland (Bay) Lawrence as the only Tabor players to sign with the NFL.
"I'm real happy to be part of that group," Brown said of joining Lawrence. "Hopefully, we'll get a few more players in the NFL.
"I can't complain with the opportunity I've been given. I just thank God for it and my family for going through the hard times when I've been out here playing football.
"My goal is to make the team, feed my family (wife Shrell, daughter Nia), be a role model to kids, and spread God's word throughout the NFL."
During an outstanding two-year career with the Bluejays, Brown's family stayed behind in California while he was making huge contributions at Tabor.
The 6-foot-1 245-pound bulldozer Brown was part of a deadly backfield that finished 10th in the NAIA in rushing with 2,681 yards and a 223.4- yard average.
Brown supplied 507 of the 2,681 yards, specializing in short-yardage situations while helping pave tailback Roger Butler's road to first-team All-American honors.
Brown took part in the Packers' three-day mini camp this past weekend where the players learned the playbook.
"That was a lot to learn and basically all we did was practice running plays," he said. "Learning the playbook has been the hardest thing for me to do so far."
After the two-time defending KCAC champion Bluejays concluded their season with their best finish in school history at 10-1, Brown made a highlight tape to send out to NFL teams.
He continued his conditioning in California, working out at Velocity Gym and running.
Teams showing interest were the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl runner-up Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, and Denver Broncos.
The Packers were the first team to call and Brown was ecstatic to sign for a team as highly regarded as Green Bay.
Brown's got some fellow NAIA graduates joining him on the roster.
Former Kansas City Chief wideout and former Hastings Bronco Mark Boerigter and Black Hills State's Zac Alcorn.
"I just thank God I got signed. Even if I play special teams, it doesn't matter, just as long as I make the team," he said.
Over the weekend, Brown came face-to-face with the Packers' future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Brett Favre and got some advice from a seasoned veteran.
"Brett walked with the rookies and talked about what it was like when he was a rookie," Brown said. "It was incredible meeting him."
When asked about his thoughts on possibly getting to play on "The Frozen Tundra," of legendary Lambeau Field, Brown prays he gets the chance.
"We didn't see the field, but we saw the locker room," he said. "They have all the jerseys of the Hall-of-Fame players there and they have the Super Bowl trophies, too. That was amazing."
Brown will leave again Thursday for another mini-camp session before reporting next month for the start of preseason training.
"Any player can make it to the NFL," Brown said, "they've just got have faith in God and work at it and it will eventually come."
Brown will get his chance to play on Lambeau Field when the Packers kick off the preseason Aug. 12 against the San Diego Chargers.
