Tom Brown played college football with the University of Minnesota Gophers, leading them to the National College championships in 1960. A runner-up for the famed Heisman Trophy, Brown was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, NFL champions at the time. He chose instead to sign a three-year contract with the BC Lions. Brown was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

One of the toughest linebackers in CFL history, Brown was known as a member of the notorious “Headhunters,” the defensive line that played a major role in helping the BC Lions capture their first Grey Cup in 1964.

Brown made the Western All-Star Team and the All-Canadian Team for three consecutive years from 1961-63. He was also named “Outstanding Lineman” in the Western Conference for the same three-year period.

Brown was awarded the Schenley Award for “Outstanding Lineman” in the CFL for two consecutive years from 1963-64 and in doing so, became the first Lions’ player to win a Schenley.

Brown played for the Lions from 1961-67 and wore jersey number 69.