| Ivory Lee Brown | |
| Number: | 33 |
| Position: | Running back |
| Birth Date: | 17 August 1969 |
| Birth Place: | Palestine, Texas |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lbs: | 230 |
| High School: | Palestine (TX) |
| College: | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |
| Draftyear: | 1991 |
| Draftround: | 7 |
| Draftpick: | 171 |
| Pastteams: |
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| Highlights: |
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| Statlabel1: | Rushing yards |
| Statvalue1: | 194 |
| Statlabel2: | Rushing average |
| Statvalue2: | 2.9 |
| Statlabel3: | Rushing TDs |
| Statvalue3: | 2 |
Ivory Lee Brown (born August 17, 1969)[2] is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League and World League of American Football. He played for the Phoenix Cardinals of the NFL[3] and the San Antonio Riders of the WLAF.[4] Brown is the uncle of former NFL running back Adrian Peterson.[5] [6]
Brown was born in Palestine, Texas, and was a highly recruited running back out Palestine High School. He rushed for 1,800 yards as a senior in 1986, and was the rated the #2 recruit in Texas.[7] [8] Brown originally intended to sign with Texas A&M University out of high school, but due to SAT problems, he attended Tyler Junior College instead.[9] [10] While at junior college, Brown was recruited to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff by head coach Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley. Cooley had formerly coached Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice at Mississippi Valley State University, and had recently come to UAPB, which was an NAIA school at the time. In 1989, Brown's first season with the Golden Lions, he led the NAIA in rushing with 1,465 yards, averaging 8.3 yards per carry.[11]
Brown was drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the seventh round (171st pick overall) of the 1991 NFL draft.[12] He was placed on the team's developmental squad, and did not see any playing time during his rookie season.[13]
The San Antonio Riders of the fledgling World League of American Football signed Ivory Lee Brown in 1992 to replace running back Ricky Blake, who had signed with the Dallas Cowboys at the conclusion of the 1991 season. Brown played with the Riders in 1992 and won the league's rushing title with 767 yards. Brown's efforts helped the Riders to a 7–3 record, and he was named first-team All World League,[14] [15] giving him an opportunity to return to the Cardinals for the 1992 NFL regular season.
Brown emerged as a potential starter due to running back Johnny Johnson's unexpected pre-season holdout.[16] Brown played in seven games, starting five, during the 1992 NFL season, but did not make the Cardinals roster in 1993 and later retired.[17]