John Brown

John Brown, affectionately nicknamed "Smokey" or "Smoke," is an American former professional football player who spent a highly productive career as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He bounced around NFL teams but stayed for 3 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

John Brown was born on April 3, 1990, in Florida City, Florida, United States. The wide receiver stands 178 cm tall, and played at a listed weight of 81 kg.

He attended Homestead High School in Homestead, Florida, where his elite acceleration made him a constant perimeter mismatch.

His collegiate journey took him through multiple programs as he developed his craft, starting at Mars Hill in 2008, where he earned SAC Freshman of the Year recognition. After spending 2010 at Coffeyville Community College, Brown transferred to Pittsburg State University, playing for the Gorillas from 2011 to 2013.

At Pittsburg State, he became an absolutely unstoppable small-school force, racking up three consecutive First-team All-MIAA selections and three straight Little All-American nods to establish himself as one of the premier vertical prospects in the country.

Professional Career

Brown was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (91st overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft.

He enjoyed an immediate impact as a rookie in Arizona's explosive passing offense, capturing the Ickey Woods Award in 2014. Over his four seasons with the Cardinals, Brown's ability to stretch opposing defenses vertically made him a favorite target, providing vital chunks of yardage to complement the team's aerial threat.

In 2018, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens, spending a competitive season providing reliable deep-threat utility to their passing attack.

In 2019, Brown signed a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Bills, where his professional production reached another notable high point across a two-season stint. He anchored the boundary for Buffalo from 2019 to 2020, serving as a trusted primary target during their rapid offensive ascent.

The latter stage of his career in 2021 saw him navigate a whirlwind tour across the league as an experienced veteran deep threat. Signing offseason or practice squad terms with the Las Vegas Raiders before making regular-season active game appearances for the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Career Highlights

• 2014 – Selected in the third round (91st overall) of the NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals
• 2014 – Awarded the Ickey Woods Award during a stellar rookie campaign
• 2011–2013 – 3× Little All-American honors during a historic tenure at Pittsburg State
• 2011–2013 – 3× First-team All-MIAA selection
• 2009 – Named the SAC Freshman of the Year at Mars Hill