Charlie Brown (running back)

Charles Robert (Charlie) Brown (born October 16, 1945 in Jefferson City, Missouri) is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He attended the University of Missouri. He went on to play with the New Orleans Saints (1967-1970).

Brown was Mizzou's leading rusher in 1965 and '66 (led the Big Eight in '65), earning all-Big Eight honors in 1965, and honorable mention all-American in 1966. Brown was also a top kick returner, and is one of just two Tigers ever to win a conference rushing crown. On the track, he set Brewer Fieldhouse records in the 60-yard dash and low hurdles, won the 60 at the Michigan State relays in 1965, and was a member of Missouri's 1965 indoor track team that won the NCAA Championship. Brown was inducted into the Mizzou Hall of Fame for both football and track in 1995.

December 15, 1968, Brown was the first New Orleans Saint to return a punt for a touchdown. Brown’s historic run was recognized by NFL Films as one of the top ten runs (# 8) in NFL History. Incredibly, nine of the opposing 11 players get a piece of Brown—but known bring him down. It would be another 21 years before another Saint would return a punt for a touchdown. Following his career in the NFL, Brown would go on to play three additional seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Brown, along with several of his Saints teammates, appeared in the film Number One, which starred Charlton Heston as a fading New Orleans quarterback.