Life as a Mountaineer – Michael Brown
September 05, 2019 01:00 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Some people are just destined to play football. It was that way for West Virginia University junior offensive Michael Brown, it just took a lot longer than most to reach his destiny.
Brown said he was born with a small hole in his heart and doctors wouldn't allow him to play contact sports while growing up in Compton, California. Therefore, he said his childhood was spent mostly indoors.
"Growing up, my mom and dad were very protective," Brown explained. "They kept us in the house because almost every night there were shootings. You'd hear helicopters, ghetto birds, popping up every night so in high school I was trying to be tough and this and that.
"I was like one of those wannabes as well. I couldn't play football, and I didn't know what to do so I started hanging out with the wrong crowd, you could say. I wanted to be that kind of guy and do all that stuff. I thought that as cool, and I was just a knucklehead."
Somewhere along the way, Brown had an epiphany when he discovered the Mormon faith.
"What changed my whole idea and my personality was the missionary," he explained. "I went to the Philippines for two years and did my mission. I learned the language and preached the gospel to the best of my knowledge."
When Brown returned, he wanted to do what his older brother, Joe, was doing – playing college football. Joe started at Miami and after two years there he transferred to Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona.
Michael asked Joe to teach him how to play football.
"My brother had just got out of Miami and he was going to go play for Eastern Arizona and I told Joe 'I want to go play football. Can you teach me? He said, 'It's hard, but if you really want to do it I will tell the coaches about you.' He did and I got a call the next day," Brown recalled.
So Michael went off to Eastern Arizona to be with his big brother and learn how to play football.
"It was one of the hardest things I had to do because when I first got into my stance I looked like a complete idiot," Brown laughed. "I didn't know what I was doing. I just remember my first play thinking, 'If I don't know what I'm doing I'm just going to out-muscle the guy.'"
He did. He picked up the dude in front of him and threw him backwards, just like Hulk Hogan would do in the wrestling ring. And no, there is "Hulk Hogan blocking technique" in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Football, if you were wondering.
But gradually, Michael improved.
"The following year I started and played all of the games and I was first team all-conference offensive lineman, I didn't know what that meant," he admitted. "It was some type of award, so I guess that's good.
"West Virginia called and said, 'Hey, we'll take both of you guys.' That was a done deal right there. Me and Joe were going to go together. We came here to play West Virginia football and now I'm here and it's been fun."
"His situation is so unique," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. "He never played high school football."
Brown's development has been so remarkable that his coach is beginning to say some remarkable things about him.
"Mike Brown is as improved of a football player as I've ever been around going over a seven-month period," he said. "For him to make the steady improvement he's made … and I think he not only has an opportunity to be a solid player, but before his time is finished here he may put himself into position to play at the next level."
"OK, I'm glad you feel that way. Thank you coach Brown," Michael says. "It definitely makes me want to play harder!
"I never thought I would be playing football at West Virginia. That's like the coolest part," he concluded.
Life of a Mountaineer is presented each week by Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration. This week's feature was produced by Sean Merinar.
Brown said he was born with a small hole in his heart and doctors wouldn't allow him to play contact sports while growing up in Compton, California. Therefore, he said his childhood was spent mostly indoors.
"Growing up, my mom and dad were very protective," Brown explained. "They kept us in the house because almost every night there were shootings. You'd hear helicopters, ghetto birds, popping up every night so in high school I was trying to be tough and this and that.
"I was like one of those wannabes as well. I couldn't play football, and I didn't know what to do so I started hanging out with the wrong crowd, you could say. I wanted to be that kind of guy and do all that stuff. I thought that as cool, and I was just a knucklehead."
Somewhere along the way, Brown had an epiphany when he discovered the Mormon faith.
"What changed my whole idea and my personality was the missionary," he explained. "I went to the Philippines for two years and did my mission. I learned the language and preached the gospel to the best of my knowledge."
When Brown returned, he wanted to do what his older brother, Joe, was doing – playing college football. Joe started at Miami and after two years there he transferred to Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona.
Michael asked Joe to teach him how to play football.
"My brother had just got out of Miami and he was going to go play for Eastern Arizona and I told Joe 'I want to go play football. Can you teach me? He said, 'It's hard, but if you really want to do it I will tell the coaches about you.' He did and I got a call the next day," Brown recalled.
So Michael went off to Eastern Arizona to be with his big brother and learn how to play football.
"It was one of the hardest things I had to do because when I first got into my stance I looked like a complete idiot," Brown laughed. "I didn't know what I was doing. I just remember my first play thinking, 'If I don't know what I'm doing I'm just going to out-muscle the guy.'"
He did. He picked up the dude in front of him and threw him backwards, just like Hulk Hogan would do in the wrestling ring. And no, there is "Hulk Hogan blocking technique" in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Football, if you were wondering.
But gradually, Michael improved.
"The following year I started and played all of the games and I was first team all-conference offensive lineman, I didn't know what that meant," he admitted. "It was some type of award, so I guess that's good.
"West Virginia called and said, 'Hey, we'll take both of you guys.' That was a done deal right there. Me and Joe were going to go together. We came here to play West Virginia football and now I'm here and it's been fun."
"His situation is so unique," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. "He never played high school football."
Brown's development has been so remarkable that his coach is beginning to say some remarkable things about him.
"Mike Brown is as improved of a football player as I've ever been around going over a seven-month period," he said. "For him to make the steady improvement he's made … and I think he not only has an opportunity to be a solid player, but before his time is finished here he may put himself into position to play at the next level."
"OK, I'm glad you feel that way. Thank you coach Brown," Michael says. "It definitely makes me want to play harder!
"I never thought I would be playing football at West Virginia. That's like the coolest part," he concluded.
Life of a Mountaineer is presented each week by Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration. This week's feature was produced by Sean Merinar.
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballGold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
