Michael Brown Has Passed Away,

Brown, a versatile player who was tried at several skill positions during his career in the early ’80s at Texas, was well-liked by teammates and had been assisted my them in recent years.

He came to the Forty Acres as part of Fred Akers’ 1980 signing class out of Lake Highlands High in Dallas.  Brown’s biggest contributions as a player came in 1983.  The ’83 offense featured a “running back by committee” attack.  It was headed by Ronnie Robinson, Johnny “Sky” Walker and Mike Luck but included Terry Orr and Brown, a 5-11, 195 pound redshirt junior.

That Longhorn team posted a perfect 11-0 regular season in the university’s centennial year.

This Is A Letter From Terry Orr, Bill Heathcock, Adam Schrieber, Bryan Mallard, Chester Bryan, And Doug Dawson.

Dear Esteemed Longhorns,

We hope this letter finds you well. The signees are writing to you with a heartfelt appeal on behalf of the family of Michael Brown, a former University of Texas football letterman who played with distinction in the early 1980s. Michael’s contributions on the field brought pride and joy to our community, and his legacy as a Longhorn remains cherished by many.

Sadly, Michael passed away recently, leaving behind a family that is struggling to cover the funeral expenses. Despite their deep love and respect for Michael, they find themselves in a difficult financial situation, unable to give him the dignified farewell he deserves.

As a community that values our alumni and their contributions, we have an opportunity to come together and support Michael’s family during this challenging time. Your generous donations will help ensure that Michael is laid to rest with the honor and respect befitting a man who gave so much to our university and its athletic program.

No contribution is too small, and each donation will significantly alleviate Michael’s family’s financial burden. Please consider extending your support and compassion to help them through this painful period.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.

TLSN will handle the donations and Doug Dawson will receive the check from TLSN to present to Michael’s family.

The Texas Legacy Support Network (TLSN) is dedicated to assisting former Longhorn student-athletes, support staff, and their families who qualify for temporary financial assistance. None of the TLSN Board members receive compensation for their services. Here is the donation link. Texas Legacy Support Network | Donate

A STORY ABOUT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE!

The former Chairman of the Board of Regents, Gene Powell, told me years ago, “if you are writing, don’t write about how it is but how it should be.”  Recently, TLSN  was invited to participate in a fundraiser by former Longhorn football players Todd Hunt and Terry  Orr.  It was an inspirational moment for me to witness a finely tuned team bond organize a fund drive to help a teammate’s family who could not afford a proper, respectful funeral service. For the family of Longhorn football great Michael Brown. “ Unacceptable,” said Terry and Todd. The funds were raised.  Michael’s direct “teammate family” raised most of the money necessary to defray the funeral cost and TLSN put them over the top.  AND THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE!

Former athlete Dick Barid said in 2003, “Years from now, all players will realize the experience(college sports) was really what it was all about — sort of like it’s not the destination, but the journey that is important. Along the way, mutual investment in emotion creates bonds that last a lifetime. Bryan Millard Longhorn football, 1980- 1982, captures an essential element of playing a team sport – that is more important than winning. Bryan said,” We had a neat group of people. College football, far more than pro football, is where relationships are built. In college, you’re there for a reason. You’re there for the love of school, the school song, the love of Saturday afternoons- all the things that are great about college football. And it doesn’t hurt when you win.”

Former Longhorn football players Dan Adams and Bob Tresch shared the story about a three-day canoeing trip down the Guadalupe. For some reason, Dan and Bob forgot that canoeing the Guadalupe during the rainy season is not a good idea. It was a miserable trip, and their story told around the campfire that evening at Lometa Ranch had all of us laughing. Their story captures the essential element necessary to build a bond that lasts a lifetime. Dan and Bob shared a struggle and survived the adversity by working together to complete the journey. 

Team sport bonds are also a symbolically perilous but needed journey down the Guadalupe in the rainy season. Team bonds need time to develop- forming only after shared experiences such as victories, losses, workouts, sorrow, pain, joy, earned respect, and other elements merge into a team foxhole mentality that will hold the team bond together for a lifetime. Winning will enhance the team bond but it does not create it. Winning is a goal, but it is not the end game.   

Psychologists for decades have tried to quantify why team bonds last a lifetime. One Cambridge study sought to quantify individual personalities by five metrics—“Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.” They were unsuccessful. A team bond formula is not quantifiable. It requires complicated interactions between trust, honesty, sacrifice, collaboration, cohesion, communication, and synergy.

Author Dick Baird defines the end game. He says “Football has an incredible bonding aspect to it. It demands an emotional investment. This is what makes it such a dominant force in character development as well as sacrifice. You never question anything about each other. It’s understood respect. This is my teammate. We will always be on the same team.” The end game in team sports is that good and bad moments are shared by all and that leads to bonds, based on respect.  A bond that is deeply rooted in the players psyche. In 2003 Dick Baird wrote an article stating, “Just last week, I got a chance to spend the day with a

In this particular case, donations for Michael Brown cannot be deducted from your income tax obligations. Call me if you have a question. 972-672-9071 

TLSN is a Longhorn Sports history educational website with a compassionate component.

A STORY ABOUT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE!

In 2003 Dick Baird wrote an article stating, “Just last week, I got a chance to spend the day with a couple of old teammates. Lots of stories were retold, and lots of hearts were involved. Friends forever held together in the bond of football brotherhood. College roommates as well as survivors of a “Junction Boys”-type football experience.” 

And there you have it! On 7/20, 2024, Longhorn Michael Brown’s family was able to honor him because of the team bond that cares passionately for those who lived in a foxhole with them for 4 years.  His teammates raised the money needed to pay for the funeral cost to honor Michael, “ AND THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.”  

TLSN received contributions from former tennis, track, golf, swimming, basketball, baseball, football, softball, and from fans. The donations ranged from $10 to $200, all aiming to help Michael Brown’s family honor his life in a meaningful way. Horns up!

Texas Legacy Support Network

TLSN is not associated with the UT Athletics Department or any organization closely aligned with UT.