The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Former defensive back Brown defined by work off the field
06.17.2014 | Football
Eight-year NFL veteran Tarell Brown spends his time away from football giving back
By Kelli LeGrande, Texas Media Relations
A successful four-year career as a defensive back for Texas Football, including a national championship in 2005, and a fruitful stint in the NFL, which will continue in Oakland this fall after signing a free-agent contract in the offseason, isn't quite enough for Tarell Brown.
When his cleats come off, the most remarkable part of Brown's story comes to life. His work on the field, which saw him play 100 career games over his first seven professional seasons, all with the San Francisco 49ers, takes a backseat to what he has been able to do for the lives of underprivileged kids.
In 2012, the cornerback who started 42 games the last three seasons, founded the Brown's Kids Foundation that functions as a facilitator to empower youth to succeed in areas of education and self-growth to break the cycle of poverty. Brown talks about how he wanted to create the Brown's Kids Foundation to give at-risk youth a chance at following their dreams.
"I want to let kids know that if they have a goal or something that they really want to accomplish in life — it's right in front of them," said Brown. "There are no excuses."
Brown's outlook on life is based partly of his own life story that he has been able to intertwine with the foundation of his giving. Brown is open about sharing his childhood difficulties to allow others to hear his story and for them to be able to use it as motivation to keep going.
Brown's mother was murdered in what was thought to be a case of mistaken identity while she was on her way to her job with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation when he was 9 years old. Then, as Brown was preparing for the NFL Combine in the spring of 2007, his father, Robert, died of a heart attack.
"I relate to [my story] a lot to let people know that if I can do it, they definitely can do it," Brown said. "All it took was a lot of hard work and dedication. If you really put your mind to something, then anything is possible."
Brown let's the young athletes know it is possible; not because of how many stories he tells them, but because he is living proof. He hasn't let his past define him; instead, he moved from reserve defensive back after being selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft to starting cornerback for the 49ers in the 2013 NFL Super Bowl.
With his success, he can continue to show Brown's Kids what the struggles are like, but that they can get through them all. Brown explains this as a major factor in giving back to kids.
Throughout the year, events are held to raise money and give back to the community through Brown's Kids. Some events include gift drives at Christmas, turkey drives around the holidays, and back-to-school drives at the beginning of the school year.
"We are trying to find different ways to help our community and let them know that we are here to support them in any way possible," said Brown.
Another feature of Brown's Kids is the 7th Free Annual Football and Cheerleading Skills Camp that is taking place Saturday, June 28, at E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite, Texas, where he attended high school. The camp gives kids a chance to meet NFL players face-to-face and get hands-on work with them. With Brown's Kids, children get the chance of a lifetime they wouldn't otherwise have.
Because these opportunities weren't available to him as a young adult, Brown makes it a point to encourage the young athletes in any way he can.
"If I can just touch one kid in any type of way, I feel like this has been a success for me," said Brown.
