The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with James Brown
02.20.2002 | Football
James Brown was the Longhorns starting quarterback for the better part of four seasons from 1994-97. The Beaumont, Texas, native and West Brook High School graduate came to UT as the state's top quarterback prospect, and after redshirting in 1993, he went on to turn in record-setting career. Brown finished his career with 30 Longhorns records, including UT bests for passing yards (7,638), total offense (8,049) and TD passes (53). A team captain in 1997, Brown became the first Longhorns QB to earn first-team All-SWC honors in 20 years (Marty Akins, 1975) en route to leading Texas to the final SWC Championship, a 10-2-1 record and a berth in the Sugar bowl in 1995. He also was tabbed SWC Offensive Player of the Year that season. In 1996, Brown guided Texas through a late season surge that was capped off by a stunning upset of defending National Champion Nebraska in the inaugural Big 12 Championship game.
Brown, who lives in Austin during the offseason, has spent the past two seasons with the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats. That team moved its headquarters to Atlanta and Brown is set to suit up for the Georgia Force this spring. In the meantime, Brown is pursuing several business opportunities. He currently is a partner in a Tax Service, Colbert/Ball Tax Service, located inside the Fiesta grocery story located at 3909 N. IH-35 (512/371-3200).
Looking back, how do you remember your days at Texas? I had a great experience at Texas. I met a lot of nice people who have always been willing to help me during my time as a student and a player and since my playing days were up. I also made a lot of great friendships. A lot of the guys I played with stay in touch and we get together as much as we can. UT is a wonderful place and always will be special to me.
You received your degree in Sports Management from UT in December, how important was that for you to accomplish? Earning my degree was really important to me and my family. That's the main reason you go to college. It was tough balancing everything at times, but I always had a goal of finishing. After my college career was over, I stuck with it by taking as many classes as I could while I was involved in pursuing my pro football career. Coach Brown and his staff have been great about reaching out to the former players and encouraging and helping us to come back and finish our degrees. Several of the guys I played with are coming back and working toward getting their degrees too. My family is really excited that I earned mine.
Do you keep a close eye on the current Longhorns? I'm an alum and a season ticket holder so I follow the team closely and have gotten to know some of the guys. I'm really excited about what is going on. It's great to see Texas recognized again as one of the best teams in the nation. And, they are. Watching those guys work out and seeing how hard the coaches push them and they push themselves is really impressive. They are such a big, physical and athletic team that its fun to see them just beat people up and wear them down. I remember when I was growing up and playing in college, Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame were the big bullies that would do that. It's good to see Texas physically dominating people again. A lot of the credit for that goes to the strength coaches and coaching staff that is driven to be the best. With the great coaches and players they have, I think UT will just keep getting better and better.
How's life after college going? I'm still playing football and looking for a shot in the NFL, but I also am looking into several business opportunities because I know that football is not going to be there forever. I'm working out with some of the guys in Austin and trying to get a few NFL tryouts. If that doesn't work out, I'll go to Atlanta and play another year in the Arena League.
Do you have any tips for the Longhorns? Compete and enjoy every moment. Work hard every day and always be ready for your chance. You never know when it will come, but you better seize the moment when it does. Time goes by fast, so don't take any days or opportunities for granted.
Is there anything new to report on James Brown? I just got engaged on Monday (Feb. 18). I'm really excited about that. My fiancee's name is Delores Rice and she graduated from UT's Engineering School. I've known her since college and we've been seeing each other for the past few years. We haven't set a date yet, but we will.
