In an era of penalties and fines if you just look at the quarterback wrong, Hardy Brown would have no place in the NFL. In the 1950s he was a little stick of dynamite that raged all out war on the rest of the league. Brown's destruction on the football field may have been fueled by his shattered youth.
Hardy Brown experienced things that no child should have to experience. He witnessed the murder of his father. Suddenly, Brown and his brothers and sisters were suddenly orphans. They were placed in the Texas Masonic Home in Fort Worth. Hardy Brown found his place on the football field. Author Jim Dent's excellent book "Twelve Mighty Orphans" profiled this incredible team. Brown led his team to the state semifinals his senior year. This is quite an accomplishment for any team in the competitive Texas state tournament let alone a bunch of orphans. Brown continued his underdog journey through Tulsa University and into professional football in 1947.
Brown was one of only two people to play in the All-America Football Conference, the National Football League and the American Football League. His one year in the AFL with the Denver Broncos in 1960 was four years after his last in the NFL. Of his eleven years in the league his best were his five years with the San Francisco 49ers. He earned his one Pro Bowl in 1952. From 1951-55 teams feared the 49ers defense all because of a 6' 193lb linebacker. 49ers quarterback Y.A. Tittle called him "the toughest football player I ever met." Tittle was always thankful that they played on the same team. Brown was known for his numbing shoulder tackle, usually aimed at the head of his opponent. He never used his arms. He got down in a crouch, like a panther waiting to spring on his prey, and when the runner was close enough he would drive his shoulder toward the ball carrier's head. His timing was perfect.
Against the Washington Redskins in 1951 Brown knocked out the entire backfield. Quarterback Harry Gilmer was the only one left in one piece. Brown knocked out 21 players in all that season. Against Detroit he hit a runner so hard that the player bounced off the ground catching Brown under the chin. He required six stitches to close the wound and was back in the game moments later. He once caught Rams halfback Glenn Davis coming through the hole. Brown hit him so hard in the head that the ligaments were torn in his knees. Davis was never the same. Against Pittsburgh, Brown battled extremely tough Steeler back Joe Geri all game. In the fourth quarter Brown decided to end the battle. He hit him so hard that Geri's eyeball popped clean out of the socket. It was hanging down on his cheek.
49ers coach Buck Shaw refused to let Hardy Brown take part in any scrimmages or intrasquad games.
Brown was the perfect middle linebacker in the old 5-3 defenses of the time. His sole job was to plug holes when the guards pulled. Most of his tackles were in the middle of the line at point blank range. In the second half of the '50s the 4-3 became the defense of choice. The middle linebacker had to pursue ball carriers and drop back in coverage. Brown was poor in pursuit and open field tackling. It took him away from his strengths. The new defense essentially ended his career.
The 1950s were such a different time. The football we know is like touch football in comparison. From Hardy Brown's shoulder tackles to Night Train Lane's clothes line hits, it was a brutal time. Brown should not have had a future in the NFL. Certainly not at linebacker. He was too small. His violence kept him in the league. If his game was only a gimmick, he would not have lasted eleven years. His violence made him a dynamite football player.
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