Brown Speaks About His Jersey Retirement

Lincoln - Bob Brown and Athletic Director Steve Pederson each spoke about the retirement of Brown's jersey at a press conference at Memorial Stadium on Wednesday. Brown, both a college and NFL Hall of Fame selection, will have his jersey retired in an on-field ceremony at halftime of Nebraska's final home football game against Colorado.

 

Athletic Director Steve Pederson

Opening Statement:

“I can’t imagine a greater honor as an Athletic Director than to be in a position to be a part of the retirement of Bob Brown’s jersey at Nebraska and the No. 64. Bob has meant the world to Nebraska. He has been a rare and unbelievable football player and a rare and unbelievable person. It gives us a great deal of pleasure to be able to do this.”

 

Bob Brown

Opening Statement:

“This is a great moment for me and I think a pretty okay moment for the University. I’m excited about being here certainly. I’m proud of this happening for me. This is as exciting as being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I would like to thank all of the people involved: Athletic Director Steve Pederson, the Alumni committee that was put together to help make this decision and certainly whatever input Coach Callahan might have had. This is a tremendous honor.”

 

On the only two jerseys to be retired at Nebraska being those of linemen:

“I think it speaks to the fact that Nebraska is a very dynamic, forward-thinking organization. I’m certainly happy about it. I know Tom Novak was an outstanding lineman, and that my name stands alongside his makes me very proud.”

 

On playing for the Huskers during a transition period:

“When we first came here, Bill Jennings was the head coach. His regime was followed by Bob Devaney and the program did very well. It was a great experience playing for Bob. He was just a very nice man and a good coach. His door was always open. I think (Nebraska) will experience another Devaney-esque era with Steve Pederson, the present athletic director, and Coach Callahan. I think that the University is going to do fine. It couldn’t be in better hands than (with) Allstate.”

 

On coming back to Nebraska and viewing the facilities:

“It’s incredible. This is the finest facility I have ever seen at the college level. I just think it’s beautiful. The players have everything going for them. This is the place to be. If I had a youngster and I was thinking about sending them away to school, just the physical things themselves would be enough to encourage me (to send themm here), and then after talking to the coaching staff and Steve Pederson, I mean how can you say no?”

 

On what his legacy in football is:

“Probably the fact that in the NFL, I ultimately was elected into the Hall of Fame. Here at Nebraska, they have been gracious enough to retire my number, suggesting that maybe I did a pretty good job at both places.”

 

On the game today:

“It’s still a game of contact. The guys that hit the hardest and the longest are most often going to be the guy and/or team that wins.”

 

On the opportunity to address the team:

“Coach Callahan did give me an opportunity yesterday to speak to the team before practice. It was really, I think, a nice meeting. I think it was very gracious of him to give me an opportunity to speak to the guys. To be back in that environment, it really makes you feel good.”

 

On his last game at Nebraska:

“It was a very close game against Auburn, I remember. I remember (quarterback) Dennis Claridge scoring on a sweep, and if my memory doesn’t fail me, I laid a pretty good block. I believe I did.”

 

On the legend that he wore out a pair of shoes every game he played:

“Every other game (I would wear out a pair). I broke them up pretty bad. I was a guard and I was a heavy guy so I’d get maybe two wears out of a pair.”