Larry Brown (running back)

Lawrence "Larry" Brown, Jr. (born September 19, 1947) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL) who played running back for the Washington Redskins from 1969 to 1976.

Raised in nearby Pittsburgh, he attended Schenley High School, Dodge City Community College, and Kansas State University, his original interest being in baseball. He later developed an overriding interest in football.

Professional career
Brown's eight-year professional career was spent exclusively with the Washington Redskins.

In 1969, newly arrived Redskins coach Vince Lombardi noticed Brown, a talented but underperforming running back. He made the 5'11", 204 pound rookie his starter. But Lombardi noticed Brown was starting slightly late behind the snap of the ball.  Tests ordered by Lombardi determined that Brown was hearing-impaired in one ear, and that he was watching for the lineman to move rather than listening to the quarterback's snap count.  Lombardi had Brown's helmet fitted with an ear-piece that relayed quarterback Sonny Jurgensen's snap counts, improving Brown's responsiveness, thus allowing him to hit the hole very quickly.

He went to four consecutive Pro Bowls during his first four seasons and led the Redskins to their 1973 Super Bowl VII appearance against the "perfect season" Miami Dolphins. Brown was the National Football League's Most Valuable Player in 1972.

He finished in the top five of the league for rushes five times, rushing yards three times, yards from scrimmage three times and total touchdowns twice. Brown was the first Redskins running back to gain more than 1,000 yards in a single season. He achieved that feat twice in a career that ran from 1969 to 1976. In an eight-year career, Brown was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972. He has been voted one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of All Time. He was selected as the Washington, DC Touchdown Club Player of the Year in 1972.

Brown carried the ball 1,530 times in his career gaining 5,875 yards. His best seasons were in 1972 when he gained 1,216 yards and in 1970 when he gained 1,125 yards. He rushed for 100 yards or more 21 times and rushed for 100 yards or more in six games in 1970 and six games in 1972. He also scored four rushing touchdowns in one game against the Eagles on December 16, 1973. . On October 29, 1972, he ran for 190 yards in a game against the New York Giants.

Brown's career was cut short due to numerous injuries. Brown's jersey number, 43, while not officially retired, has not been issued to any other Redskins player since his retirement.

Post Football Career
Brown is currently a Vice President of NAI Michael Commercial Real Estate Services. After retiring from football in 1976, he was employed at E.F. Hutton as a Personal Financial Management Advisor.

For 12 years, Brown was employed by Xerox Corporation with responsibilities for business and community relations.

He has served on the Board of Directors of Mellon Bank(MD), the Board of Visitors of George Mason University, the Board of Associates of Galludet University the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington,DC Sports Authority, and a Delegate to Japan with the American Council of Young Political Leaders.

Owner of Applebee's restaurant in Greentree, PA.

Charitable Activities
Brown has been active over many years in charitable activities for the Redskins and other non-profit organizations in the Washington, DC area, including the Prince George's County Special Olympics the National Council on Disability, Friends of the National Zoo Advisory Committee, the Coalition for the Homeless, the Capital Children's Museum, and the Washington Redskins Charity Golf Classic.

He makes regular appreances at Redskin's alumni events.