Since
the start of their dynasty in 2002, the New England Patriots have trademarked
a formula for success that's been mimicked at all levels from Pop Warner
to the National Football League. And if one player represented that
formula above all others, it would be jack-of-all-trades Troy Brown.
From humility to versatility, from dedication and hard work to skill
and speed, Troy represents everything the Patriots stand for. Throughout
his career, he's made big plays catching the ball and returning punts
- perhaps most notably a key return for a touchdown in Pittsburgh
to vault New England to the AFC Championship the year of their first
Super Bowl.
But his most impressive moments might have come in 2004, when the
Patriots were riddled with injuries at defensive back. Troy stepped
in and played effectively on both sides of the ball, intercepting
three passes in the regular season and helping to completely shut
down Peyton Manning and the Colts' high-flying attack in the playoffs.
In 2006, Troy even lined up as a quarterback in the preseason.
The legend began at Marshall University, where Troy graduated in
1993 with a degree in computer science. While at Marshall, he averaged
a touchdown every eight times he touched the ball and set an NCAA
record for the most touchdowns on kickoff returns in one season (four).
He was a driving force behind the Marshall University football team
during the 1991and '92 seasons and was once described as "the
most dangerous scoring threat in all of l-AA football."
It has been 14 years since Troy was drafted by the New England Patriots,
and he hasn't played for any other team since that day. His loyalty
is nearly unmatched - he's one of only four players in the Patriots'
history to play for the team for 14 seasons, and he's been with his
team longer than any other current professional athletes in Boston.
He's stuck through ups and downs to win three Super Bowls and make
his mark in the record books. He is first in Patriots' history in
all-time receptions (577) and second in receiving yardage (6,366),
and he's also been elected team captain for the past six seasons.
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