Everette Brown

Brown had his draft party at Christinnes, the Greenville Hilton restaurant. Once the draft began he went into a smaller adjacent room with only immdediate family members and his agent. Maybe why there wasn't a ton of people around him when ESPN showed him.

 

Fixed.

 

That remains to be seen.

 

Originally published April 25, 2009


John Lata didn't really know the freshman who had just approached him about volunteering in the Tallahassee community.

Now that he does, the director of student services for the Florida State athletic department can't wait to see what Everette Brown does off the field as an NFL player. Brown, in the 31/2 years since he first offered to help in Tallahassee, has made a difference in the community as an FSU student-athlete. He's also made a splash on the field, where he is positioned to be a likely first-round selection in today's NFL Draft.

"He wanted to get out and give back to the community immediately," Lata said. "He asked: 'What can I do? Where can I go? I want to go talk to kids.'

ADVERTISEMENT

"He spent a lot of time in the elementary schools around here. … I know it's something that is very dear to his heart and something he really enjoyed. I fully anticipate that he'll continue to do that as he moves on to the next level."

Brown said he's been fortunate to learn from good role models beginning with his parents and throughout his youth and then at FSU where he's been exposed to former Seminoles such as Warrick Dunn.

"You look at guys like Brad Johnson, Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn — they have a legacy," Brown said. "That's the ultimate goal for me, to have that kind of legacy, and I'm building it day by day.

"You want to brighten the horizons (for youth) and just give then dreams that they can chase."

Lata is not alone in expectations for Brown to be a difference maker in the next community he calls home.

Much of the banter in the weeks leading to the NFL Draft has centered on whether Brown, an almost certain first-round pick, will remain at defensive end or move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

But former FSU players are excited about what Brown might do with that other part of his game — a passion for volunteering and helping youth. Although Brown said he wasn't able to volunteer as much he wanted during his final fall at FSU, he had already become a familiar face at local grade schools and middle schools as a volunteer. He also received an ACC award given to the top six student-athletes in community service at each member school.

William Floyd, as analyst for the Seminole Sports Network, saw every one of the 13.5 sacks that Brown made last season as a junior. From his spot in the radio booth, Floyd watched Brown lead the ACC in tackles for loss (21.5) as well as sacks.

"Everette Brown is the real deal," Floyd said. "He is one of the nicest kids, most respectful kids I've met. With the attitude that he has, the passion that he has to make a difference, I think he is going to do some great things. Definitely whatever community he plays in, he's going to be an asset to that community.

"He will be a good NFL player. But what's good about that is I don't think you'll read any bad stories about him."

Former FSU quarterback Casey Weldon had hoped that Brown would be back for his senior year to help FSU improve and add upon his 23 career sacks. But he'll be keeping track of Brown both on and off the NFL fields.

"I wish he was coming back for his senior year," Weldon said. "Not just for his athletic ability but the person Everette was … Just good people."

Brown, former players suggest, could be the next Dunn or Brooks — former FSU players who are as well-liked for their good deeds as their good play in the NFL. Dunn earned the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2004 and both Dunn and Brooks were named The Sporting News' No. 1 Good Guy in 2005 and 2000 respectively.

Former FSU and NFL defensive lineman Derrick Alexander believes Brown will be an even better player in the NFL than he was at FSU. He sees him making a difference as a pass rusher. But Alexander also likes Brown's other qualities.

"I definitely see him being in the mold of a Derrick Brooks but first he has to establish himself," said Alexander, who now lives in the Tampa area.

"Everything I've heard about him is all positive and it looks like he'll try to be a good community person and give other people opportunities because of the blessings he received."

Brown is also aware that there are professional athletes with good intentions that don't fulfill them.

The runner-up for ACC Player of the Year in 2008 also realizes that success on the field will help promote his endeavors off it.

"Playing in the NFL definitely should create opportunities for me long term to give back to the community, to be able to put on functions for the community," Brown said. "I want to a positive role model on and off the field. At the same time the way to spread the news like wildfire is by my example on the field.

"A lot of times there are great ideas (to help the community), just not great game plans. I want to take my time with it and not rush into it. This is something that will be well-thought."

Another former Seminole involved in helping his communities is Johnson, who has put together a successful charity golf tournament for Tallahassee's Ronald McDonald House the past six years. Johnson said it will be important for Brown to surround himself by people dedicated to the cause and experienced in running charity events. He also believes that it helps any FSU player to have been in a situation where community service was stressed.

"When we were at Florida State it was pushed upon us to make an impact in the community," said Johnson, who won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. "There were opportunities to do that. There are so many players that have actually done it. The groundwork has been laid before him.

"But the key is to get it set up and do it right and keep doing it over time. It has to be within your heart and it will happen over time if it's done for the right reasons.

"Hopefully, he'll be able to make that impact."

 

21.5 tfl is fantastic.

 

No, you just don't understand my analogy. I'm saying that it's doesn't matter where a player gets drafted when it comes to value. It matters what the Panthers have him graded as. They felt the value was there.

What if on the Panthers board they had him graded as a high to mid round pick? With Otah they tried trading the next years 1st to every team after they got Stewart at 10 until Philly bit at 19. Who knows when they started trying to get Brown.

You say it was no more stupid to trade up to get Brown this year than last year to get Otah. That's my point. Last year it worked our great. I'm hoping it will this year too.

 

It only looks like bad value to us because we are going of Mel Kiper and the other amateur draft gurus. If we had traded next year's first round pick in exchange for the #10 overall pick in this year's draft and took Brown there would it make you feel different?

 

The point is Brown was a 2nd round pick. Just because he slipped or shouldn't have been there doesn't mean we have to trade our 1st next year. We had a 2nd and 4th that should have been enough to move up. That's the point.

 

It must not have been enough to move up.

Trading future picks for current year picks is not as risky in my book as trading future picks for veterans. We are still building through the draft. Overpriced vets who take away draft picks are what hurt you.

 

I don't think it looks like bad value to them. To them, we got a first round player in the second. They eat that shit up.