Encyclopedia Of Detroit

Lomas Brown is a former professional football player and current analyst who spent 11 seasons playing with the Detroit Lions.  

Brown was born March 30, 1963 in Miami, Florida. At the suggestion of his high school principal, he became a football player. Brown became quite adept and would reach greater heights in the sport while playing for the University of Florida Gators. Brown, an offensive tackle, made up a key component of the school’s “Great Wall of Florida.” His prowess was recognized, and in 1985 he was drafted in the 1^st round, 6^th overall, by the Detroit Lions. In the NFL offseason, Brown returned to the University of Florida to complete his bachelor’s degree.  

With the Lions, Brown proved to be a consistent and essential member of the team’s offensive line, which led to a string of playoff appearances as well as Division titles in 1991 and 1993. He played in the annual Pro Bowl match for seven straight years, from 1990 to 1996. Leaving the Lions after the 1995 season, Brown went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers were Super Bowl XXXVII champions in 2003, and Brown subsequently retired from playing. 

Following his NFL career, Brown has spent time as an analyst and commentator on both television and radio, a natural fit for his affable personality. He joined ESPN’s Cold Pizza (Later First Take) in 2004. Beginning in 2018, Brown joined the team at WJR-AM as a color analyst. He also leverages his generous spirit into numerous philanthropic efforts, including coaching kids and managing the Lomas Brown Foundation which provides scholarships and financial aid to incoming college students. In addition to numerous other accolades, Brown was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020.