Globe piece talks about Brown [merged] - New England Patriots Forums

***PatsRI*** · 03-18-2007, 08:06 AM

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...issues/?page=3

This is from the football notes section by Reiss. Once again proves what an outstandind player and man Troy is.

Patriots' Brown is this family's most valued player

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 had 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.
"The next day, we got the word that it was no problem, but that Troy didn't want to send it, he wanted to deliver it in person," said Rijo.
The visit was arranged, and while young Matthew was unconscious and unresponsive, the family knew he was aware of Brown's presence when his heart rate increased as Brown held his hand. Brown told the family he hoped to score a touchdown for Matthew in the team's next game, Oct. 8 against the Dolphins.
As the family watched that Sunday from the hospital, Brown hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady. They could hardly believe it. Then Brown sent the ball, with an autograph, as a surprise to the McGowans. Later, the family had Brown autograph a framed photo that ran in the Globe the day after the victory over the Dolphins.
Unfortunately, young Matthew lost the fight for his life yesterday, but his family didn't want Brown's generosity to go unrecognized, despite his wishes to keep the visit quiet. At a most difficult time in their lives, Brown's gesture meant more than they could express.
"The fact he doesn't want any recognition is more reason why we wanted to tell people about this," Rijo said.
Rijo said the autographed picture included the words, "To Matthew, a true champion, your friend forever, Troy Brown."
Said Matthew's father, Richard: "Troy is right, Matthew is and always will be a true champion. And to us, Troy will always be more than just a sports champion, but our friend forever."

italian pat patriot · 03-18-2007, 08:09 AM

Troy Brown: grande uomo !

Troy Brown: a true man !

Willie55 · 03-18-2007, 08:18 AM

Troy is the man. He went above and beyond. Instead of just sending an autographed shirt, he appeared in person. He did it without the pomp and circumstance. To me that is the mark of a truly charitable and kind person - not somebody who does it for attention and so people can say what a great guy they are. It is somebody who does it out of the kindness of their heart and because they want to.

zoostation · 03-18-2007, 08:30 AM

Troy Brown is the true definition of CLASS!

I would absolutly love to see him on the team this year and able to go out with another championship.

PatsMyBoyz! · 03-18-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatsRI

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal...issues/?page=3

This is from the football notes section by Reiss. Once again proves what an outstandind player and man Troy is.

Patriots' Brown is this family's most valued player

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 had 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.
"The next day, we got the word that it was no problem, but that Troy didn't want to send it, he wanted to deliver it in person," said Rijo.
The visit was arranged, and while young Matthew was unconscious and unresponsive, the family knew he was aware of Brown's presence when his heart rate increased as Brown held his hand. Brown told the family he hoped to score a touchdown for Matthew in the team's next game, Oct. 8 against the Dolphins.
As the family watched that Sunday from the hospital, Brown hauled in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady. They could hardly believe it. Then Brown sent the ball, with an autograph, as a surprise to the McGowans. Later, the family had Brown autograph a framed photo that ran in the Globe the day after the victory over the Dolphins.
Unfortunately, young Matthew lost the fight for his life yesterday, but his family didn't want Brown's generosity to go unrecognized, despite his wishes to keep the visit quiet. At a most difficult time in their lives, Brown's gesture meant more than they could express.
"The fact he doesn't want any recognition is more reason why we wanted to tell people about this," Rijo said.
Rijo said the autographed picture included the words, "To Matthew, a true champion, your friend forever, Troy Brown."
Said Matthew's father, Richard: "Troy is right, Matthew is and always will be a true champion. And to us, Troy will always be more than just a sports champion, but our friend forever."

Great story! Speaks directly to the type of man he is,and how fortunate we are to have him here. Troy Brown must remain a Patriot;here's to Troy

***shmessy*** · 03-18-2007, 09:01 AM

A true New England Patriot. I sure hope they find a way to keep him as a 6th WR/Special Teamer/Emergency DB.

In the meantime, did anyone notice that the "infamous" Boston Globe disclaimer about the source of the Notes info is now gone from the end of the piece?

Reiss does his own work. Unlike Forges.

***Patjew*** · 03-18-2007, 09:29 AM

That story brings a tear to the eye. What a class act.

NYCPatsFan · 03-18-2007, 09:59 AM

He's the Ultimate Patriot!

Maybe the Pats FO should prepare a one-page brief about Brown and have the rookies (and everyone I guess) read it to get a glimpse of how selflessly he acts - whether on the field or outside.

signbabybrady · 03-18-2007, 10:09 AM

Bring Back Troy, Bring Back Troy, Bring Back Troy come on evryone chant it with me and maybe they will hear it at gillete.

signbabybrady · 03-18-2007, 10:11 AM

this was in the herald

http://patriots.bostonherald.com/pat...ticleid=189134

Yes, Brown is old (he’ll turn 36 in July), and it looks like he’s lost a full step since his 2001-02 heyday, when he caught a combined 198 passes and made his only Pro Bowl (2001). No one is saying he should come back as anything more than a fourth or fifth receiver. With Donte’ Stallworth, Wes Welker and Kelley Washington joining incumbents Reche Caldwell [stats] and Jabar Gaffney [stats] on the depth chart, there’s little chance of that happening anyway.

But the Pats have never had a durable receiving corps under Belichick, and both Stallworth (four missed games last year with Philadephia) and Washington (12 games missed with Cincinnati) have a history of chronic hamstring problems. Welker is 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, and is an injury risk every time he touches the ball. Insurance policies are needed, and Brown is the perfect candidate.

The Pats have carried six receivers before, and if it means keeping Brown in the fold, they should consider it. Besides, how can you be convinced that Gaffney or Washington belongs on the team ahead of Brown in the first place? The Pats surely hope that’s the way it shakes out, but Washington has barely played in two years and Gaffney was a nobody until making a late playoff surge for the Pats last year.

Meanwhile, Brown is coming off his healthiest and most productive season since his prime. He had 43 receptions, the most he’d had since grabbing 97 in 2002. He played all 16 games for the first time since 2001. His four receiving touchdowns were the most he’d scored since 2003 and were just two short of his career high. Brown did all that still playing defense and special teams through the end of the year.