Ray Brown (offensive lineman)


Leonard Ray Brown Jr. is an American football coach and former offensive lineman who last served as the offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He played college football for The University of Memphis and transferred to Arkansas State University. Brown was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He also played for the Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions.

Playing career

Early years

Following graduation from Marion High School where he started at running back, he played college football for The University of Memphis and transferred to Arkansas State University where Coach Larry Lacewell converted him to an offensive lineman.

National Football League

Brown played with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Washington Redskins, the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions. He announced his retirement January 14, 2006 after 20 seasons, the same day he started a for the Redskins. He is one of the oldest players to start a playoff game at the age of 43.

Coaching career

Buffalo Bills

Brown was hired as assistant offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills on January 17, 2008. He was not retained by the Bills after the firing of head coach Dick Jauron.

San Francisco 49ers

Brown was hired as offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers for the 2010 season.

Carolina Panthers

On January 25, 2011, Brown was announced as the assistant line coach for the Carolina Panthers.
In the 2015 season, Brown and the Panthers reached Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016. The Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.

Arizona Cardinals

On February 14, 2018, Brown was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as their offensive line coach.