
"Do you believe it" and "Mike Brown" may
forever live together in the memory of Bear fans that followed the team during
Brown's short nine-year tenure with the Chicago Bears. He was not resigned by
the Bears following the 2008 season, after a career in which Brown scored more
defensive touchdowns (7) than any other Bear in history. Brown was drafted in
the second round of the 2000 draft over several other better-know safeties,
after he wowed Bears scouts with his grasp of the game in the film room. The
Bears had just signed free agent safety Shaun Wooden to start next to strong
safety Tony Parrish, but Brown started every game of his rookie season. Early
in that season Brown returned his first interception for a touchdown against
the New Orleans Saints, and played solidly along fellow rookie Brian Urlacher.
In 2001 Brown dominated, returning interceptions for touchdowns in back-to-back
overtime, come-from-behind games. 2003 would be Brown's last fully healthy
season, before which he signed a new six-year contract with the Bears. Injuries
would limit Brown to just 21 games between 2004 and 2007. He rebounded with a
solid 2008, but was again placed on injured reserve before the final game of
the season. Brown was viewed by some as too small and too slow by some
prognosticators prior to being drafted, but his play earned him a place in the
BearsHistory.com Chicago Bears Ring of Honor.