Running Against the Grain by Roy Weaver

Running Against the Grain by Roy Weaver

Timmy Brown went from being a child of divorce living at an orphanage in rural Indiana to sports success at Ball State, where he is remembered as perhaps the school's greatest athlete. In the 1960s, he played pro football at Green Bay and in Philadelphia. More than 50 years after he left the Eagles, he still held four team records. He ended his career as a Baltimore Colt at Super Bowl I. And he wasn't just a jock.

His dream was to have equal success on stage, as a singer and actor. His recordings and live appearances scored in the Philadelphia area, and his acting career led him to roles in two of the most acclaimed movies of the 1970s. He was friends or romantic partners with top stars of his time -- among them Chubby Checker, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, and Elliott Gould. But as a Black man, he had to deal with the overt racism of his times. And his outspoken honesty didn't lead to continuing professional success. Yet he never quit, moving on to helping troubled youths in California, and establishing a family of his own while in his 50s.

While dreams can change and goals can go unmet, Timmy Brown's character and perseverance remained constants. His life is unique and fascinating.