Lawrence "Larry" Brown, Jr. (born September 19, 1947 in Clairton, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL) who played running back from 1969 to 1976.
Raised in nearby Pittsburgh, he attended Schenley High School, Dodge City Community College, and Kansas State University, his original interest being in baseball. He later developed an overriding interest in football. His eight-year professional career was spent exclusively with the Washington Redskins. Brown went to four consecutive Pro Bowls during his first four seasons and led the Redskins to their 1973 Super Bowl VII appearance against the "perfect season" Miami Dolphins. Brown finished in the top five of the league for rushes five times, rushing yards three times, yards from scrimmage three times and total touchdowns twice.
In 1969, newly arrived Redskins coach Vince Lombardi noticed that Brown, an obviously talented but under-performing running back, was starting slightly late behind the snap of the ball. Tests ordered by Lombardi determined that Brown was hearing-impaired in one ear, and that he was watching for the lineman to move rather than listening to the quarterback's snap count. Lombardi had Brown's helmet fitted with an ear-piece that relayed quarterback Sonny Jurgensen's snap counts, improving Brown's responsiveness, thus allowing him to hit the hole very quickly. Brown went on to have a successful and productive NFL career, with a reputation for toughness, for running hard, for running "much bigger" than his 195 lb frame would suggest. Because of his hard-churning style, his career was cut short due to numerous injuries, but not before establishing himself as an NFL back of note.
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