Perseverance

Troy Brown intrigues me. Here is a person with three (3) Super Bowl rings, which means he's been to the pinnacle i.e. the mountaintop at least three times and brought home the prize. It's a feat in which every National Football League player past and present has played this game. Troy is entering his 15th season with the New England Patriots. He is an integral part of the once again favored Patriots. He can do it all: punt returner, wide receiver, and line up as a gunner on the punt team. I even raised up out of my stance to find my safety and corner and you guessed it, it was Troy Brown playing corner. Troy is very well known, not just in the New England part of the country, but also around the league for his blue collar play. Troy's STORY is much more intriguing than his glory that he now possesses. You see, Troy was released by the Patriots early in his career. Again, this past weekend NFL rosters had to be trimmed to their final fifty-three man rosters, which means guys lost their jobs not their dreams. Why do I admire Mr. Troy Brown? Well it's not only because we share the same number, but his ability to thrive in a cut throat business and he always gives more than is asked of him. There are many who get caught in the numbers game or are placed on that so-called "waiting list", but they never quit and never give up (a slogan that I've added to my daily meditation). I will not be defeated and will not quit. This note is to get fans ready for the upcoming regular season in the NFL. Don't just be a fan to your team, but become family. My definition of family: We praise, we don't complain; we encourage and edify as opposed to tearing down. We win together; we lose together from September to January. Troy's story is much more interesting than his glory. Remember, your words are the most powerful thing in the universe, so walk by faith and not by sight. P.S. This my MVP season. Isaac Bruce

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• odenformvp said September 03, 2007

  Great Story and Good Luck this Season!

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• whitejordan32 said September 03, 2007

  Very true and great story Isaac. Troy is one of the best teammates in the league because he can do anything and is selfless enough to help his team in wherever they need help in. Love the blog!

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• SVPStyle said September 03, 2007

  You really have a great blog, and you are a great Christian role model for kids and fans.
  
  Now what would you prefer: New England Clam Chowder delivered by Troy Brown, or a tuna fish sandwich delivered by Deion Branch?

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• ursportspro said September 03, 2007

  Touching story on Troy Brown. I still remember when Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan cut Chris Carter before the season started. That's when we first heard the infamous "All he does is catch Touchdowns". It was Ryan's response for the release of Carter during his press conference. I believe Carter like yourself and Mr. Brown also wore #80. There is also a small college player from Mississippi Valley State who was drafted by San Francisco that overcame the odds and skeptics and made the number 80 popular too. So, maybe it's the number Isaac?

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• PatriotsWin said September 03, 2007

  Thank you for recognizing my favorite football player. Troy Brown has done everything asked an more. Never have we heard him complain about being cut (also for cap reasons later in his career), complain about not getting the ball, question the coaching or having to play defense (and was the 3rd QB in 2006 before Testaverde signed mid-season).
  
  He is an example of how a person should aspire to be - not just football players. To give more of oneself then asked for and receiving more blessings in kind.

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• Valencia said September 03, 2007

  Very well put. Have a good season MVP.

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• GibbyM said September 03, 2007

  Hey Isaac, AccuScore has you guys picked to win the NFC West. You're welcome. Ha ha. I;m glad you pointed out Troy Brown. He is the man. Not only becaise of his skills on the field but because of his dedication to the team first, himself second. He could have stuck on offense only and piled up more stats but he sacrificed stats for what the team needed, an extra DB in nickel and dime coverages. When contracts are discussed, offensive output factors in; so in my book, Troy coul dhave gotten a bigger money deal with anoher team had he produced more on offense but he gave that up to do what it took for his team to win. Troy Brown should go into the hall of fame someday for that point alone. there should be more Troy Browns in the league. Best of luck this season!

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• Dewey said September 03, 2007

  A very positive post; thanks, Isaac.

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• scudagc said September 04, 2007

  Isaac, great story about Troy Brown. I look forward to reading your posts throughout the season.

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• FFGoat said September 04, 2007

  I am a big Troy Brown fan myself. A "gamer" in every sense of the word. Great post IB.
  
  -Corey

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• LnGrrrR said September 04, 2007

  IB, got a link here from PatriotsDaily... thanks for the kind words towards Troy. I don't think there's a single person in New England who doesn't like and respect him. Thanks to this article, I've much more of the same for you as well.

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• backrdbeliever said September 04, 2007

  Hey Isaac........I respect and appreciate both you and Troy. I will say this, actions speak a lot louder than words. Faith is not the words we speak rather the life we live. God Bless you brother.

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• PatsfanPat said September 04, 2007

  Isaac the same sentiments to you...you are (and have been) the same class act as Troy Brown and deserve to have the same said about you.

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• HFD838 said September 04, 2007

  As a Pats fan I must admit i know little about you other than you great play on the feild. Your blog has shown me what a great person you are off the feild. With so much negitve being in the forfront latelt. it is great to see a football player show the fans and the kids what it means to be a man. Although I could never cheer against my PATS. You as person have one more fan. Have a great season Isaac and GO PATS (sorry couldn't help it)

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• RASinNE said September 04, 2007

  We, in Patriots Nation, know what Troy Brown is about. We appreciate what Troy is about and have the utmost repect and admiration for he represents. Isaac, it is not often you see one athlete discussing another athlete in the manner that you have. Props to you! I am pleased that your readers are getting to know a little about Troy, but I would like to add another that most of the country and New England don't know about him. This was published in the Boston Globe back in March 2007.
  .................................................................................................................................................... The act was so selfless by Troy Brown that the McGowan family of Attleboro wanted to share the story, even though Brown requested that there be no publicity. Eight year old Matthew McGowan has been admitted to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence last year with an inoperable brain tumor. Because Matthew was a big sports fan, his parents, Richard and Linda and uncle John Rijo, contacted Brown through a mutual friend to see if Brown could autograph a jersey. The response stunned them.

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• NEPatFanDan said September 04, 2007

  Dear Mr. Bruce,
  I am a football fan first, a Patriots fan 2nd, and an Isaac Bruce fan 3rd (I have had you on my fantasy football teams for the last 7 years!) Thanks so much for your article and your kind words about one of my favorite Patriot players. It is extremely heartening to see one player speak with respect about another one... something we see far too infrequently, and in the rare instances we do see it, it is not as genuine as what you have put on your blog. As PatsfanPat says... you are truly a class act and I wish you yet another fantastic season!

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• stillhill said September 04, 2007

  Well said Isaac.. well said.
  Mike and Mike in the morning should read this as they had an interesting piece this morning on

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• hhipatsfan said September 04, 2007

  Thanks for the kind words of one of Patriot Nations favorite sons. When the whole family attended a game in Jacksonville last year we needed to get a shirt for Mom. I had Brady, my husband had Bruschi and she said she wanted a different player. I mean who else but #80 when you are choosing a shirt for your Mom, she loved it and wears if proudly. He makes me proud to be a fan of the Patriots and football. Good luck to you this year!

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• jeffk66 said September 04, 2007

  Troy wasn't released just once. He was released and resigned regularly as a young player. This is part of his allure. He's the energizer bunny, he gets released and keeps coming back. Now he's got so much experience that it makes up for whatever he was lacking, and that is particularly helpful on a Bill B team. Even as an old player he has had to earn a spot each year. Everyone forgets his brief time at QB too. Belichik has said he would take a team full of Troy Browns, not the best at any position but just a football player who brings his A game each opportunity. Separately, St. Louis fans are the classiest in the country. For weeks after the Superbowl and World Series talk radio was littered with misc stories of how nice the people and fans of St Louis are. For weeks afterwards. Strong contrast to the stories about Philadelphia fans...Keep up the class St Louis!

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• uzi978 said September 05, 2007

  Let's not forget he could have signed with the Saints for a lot more money, but chose to stay in New England as more of a role player because he loves his TEAM. Troy's one of the best of all time and I really hope he ends up in the Hall of Fame someday, and that the Patriots retire #80.

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• lerxtt said September 05, 2007

  Nice article Isaac. I've been a Troy Brown fan since his early days, but I've been a fan of yours since watching the Tennesee Super Bowl. You've had some amazing catches in your day. I know you've got a big year ahead- I drafted you last week! Good luck this year...lets see you guys back in the Super Bowl.

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• shanegfasho said September 05, 2007

  Nothing is impossible with God and He honors His word above His name. We can have what we say we have (Mark 11:20-22). Still hoping to be in touch (see response to first article on Marques Hagans).
  Be blessed. Your biggest fan.
  shanegray_@hotmail.com

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• GoPatriots said September 05, 2007

  Great piece Isaac. Like someone else mentioned I don't know too much about you except that you're an excellent receiver, but the fact that you're so passionate about *another* player - and for all the right reasons - says a lot about your character. We Patriot fans have always appreciated Troy for the very reasons you mentioned. His perserverence after being cut numerous times, and his willingness to put in extra work on the field and in the film room to play offense and defense late in his career when he's making less then most starters in the league. My favorite quote from Troy came when he wasn't initially selected to the Pro Bowl team in the 2001 season. He told Sports Illustraded's Peter King

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