Tom Brown

Bio

Tom Brown's 1960 season was one of the most remarkable seasons in college football history. As a member of the Golden Gophers, he was part of a team that went from last place in the Big Ten the previous year, to winning the national championship and gaining a trip to the Rose Bowl. Individually, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest-ever placement for an interior lineman. While playing defense he was an immovable object who became known as the "Rock of Gibraltar." On offense, his coach Murray Warmath, compared him to a "rolling boulder" in opening holes for Gopher ball carriers. He was best in big games, such as when Minnesota beat top-ranked Iowa. On defense, he stopped a Hawkeye drive deep in Minnesota territory with a five-yard tackle for loss. When the Gophers took possession, it was Brown who Minnesota ran behind in the 27-10 victory that put the Gophers on top on the polls. In addition to his Heisman near-miss, he won the Outland Trophy as the nation's best lineman. His other honors included unanimous All-America recognition, and being the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. After his collegiate career he played professionally in the Canadian Football League.

Career Highlights

• 1960 All-Conference
• 1960 Conference MVP
• 1960 Heisman - Second
• 1960 Outland Trophy Winner
• 1960 Unanimous All-America