Mike Brown.

The loss of Brownie is always going to be very difficult to come to terms with. As a club and a rugby community we will support and strengthen one another in this devastating time.
Please take the time to add a comment or memory to this forum, to help us all pay tribute to a wonderful young man and athlete.
We will also try to add arrangements for services etc to the forum as we hear about them.
In Rugby
Andrew

One thing I remember about Brownie is that he always had his hair brush with him, and he'd use it all the time.
He didn't even do it for attention, he'd do it when no one was looking. And when asked about it, he'd defend it saying he wanted to look good.

Sean

I remember when we were playing DRFC for the Ambassador cup, I got the ball once and ran it a little bit, a little while later while we were walking past each other he told me he liked my run. That`s just the type of guy Brownie was, he`d remember the good things you did during the game regardless of how small they were and tell you that you did good, but if you told him how good he did he`d just shrug it off and say "nah".

Mike Brown

Fellow Rogues, DRFC members.
Heard the sad news the day we returned to the UK.
Although I only knew ’Brownie” for a month, it was a pleasure!
Just wanted to share a few memories.

Rogues at Grimsby, Saturday August 12th 2006: Mike ran the show at no. 10 over seeing a nine- try demolition of the opposition. It was my first game with Mike and he was a pleasure to play alongside. He created many breaks and set up numerous scoring situations for his team. I remember high fiving, Mike after he gave me a scoring pass and saying; “Thanks Brownie, you make me look good!” He just beamed and got on with the next play.

Back at Cush’s beer up in Windsor later the same evening, Mike accidentally smashed his beer bottle on Cush’s patio. Mike knew what was coming and dutifuly jumped into the pool fully clothed as his ‘punishment’. He emerged sopping wet to cheers and laughter, and promptly returned to the bar, picked up a new beer and carried on partying with Wilkie, Dom, Pat (Cushing) and I.

I always say that Rugby is a metaphor for life.
There’s no hiding place on a rugby pitch and you get to know a guy’s temperament pretty quickly when the pressure is on.
Mike Brown had all the qualities that make for a terrific rugby player and a terrific individual!......................

These are the memories I have of ‘Brownie’ from the short time I knew him. I know you all have many of your own.

“Find strength in what remains behind”
William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850.) - Ode: Intimations of Immortality

When I first started playing Rugby, which wasn’t too long ago. I was always asked what Rugby was all about. Initially I had a difficult time answering this question. It wasn’t until I met a player named Mike Brown, while I was practicing with Detroit, that I was able to answer the above question. This last May Dewald and I played in a high school tournament against Brownie. The game started and Brownie brought it hard off every scrum. At first I thought that I should take it light on Brownie due to us being good friends and teammates. But Brownie kept coming hard at me, which forced me to start hitting him at full strength. The game got intense, so intense that I forgot I knew him at all. On one run I had elbowed him in the throat, which resulted in Brownie not being able to talk shit for a week, but that did not stop us from being friends and having multiple beers after the game. That’s when it clicked. I finally figured out what the game of rugby is all about. Rugby is a sport where you go to war with your brothers. Fighting a battle for 80 minutes and when it’s all done and over, you hear the whistle blow. The people you were at war with are now your brothers. You sit and talk about the game while buying each other beers. Mike Brown taught me that no matter what happens in a game we are all brothers. It doesn’t matter what team you’re on we all have one common goal, to play the game to the fullest. Rugby’s all about passion, there is no other sport like it. If you don’t understand the passion of the game then you’re not worthy enough to be on the field. Mike Brown will be remembered as a great rugby player, he had passion for the game, he was a teammate and most of all he was a friend. He will always be remembered.
Thanks Brownie for showing me what rugby is all about and for being a great friend.

Karel Zouzal AKA: Big Blonde

Like John Darbyshire , I shared that moment at Cush's backyard party 2 weeks ago and saw Brownie jump in to the pool.
That evening was the only time I had ever spent with him, but he made an impression on me.
I had a chance to chat with him about rugby, and I loved his attitude. He reminded me of what it felt like joining rugby years ago.
He was a perfect gentleman, and a nice guy.
My prayers go out to his family - what a loss .

Jim Robertson

the thing i remember most about brownie (although maybe not very appropriate, but i dont care), was in St. Catherine's, it was the 1st time i had spent a whole day with him, from the drive up to the game, to the beer up after the game and even getting lost and ending up in toronto after the game. in the parking lot at the beer up, i was trying to leave to get home, but him and a couple of other unmentionables were in my car smoking ***, which i havent smoked in about 3 years, so brownie was sitting behind me, and everytime i looked back at him, he would blow smoke right into my face. i had actually gotten really h**h mainly from him. this showed me just how much brownie just wanted to have fun and enjoyed everything he did, and wanted everyone else to join in the fun with him. he was a good friend to us all, and was always very good at paying for gas haha, but i will miss him a lot and i think everyone else will too

Matt Bloch

I remember the first time I really talked with Mike. At the beer up in St. Catherines, we were just sitting enjoying a cold beer after the game, when expectedly Parky broke into song and started belting out one rude lyric after another. Before you knew it, almost everyone on the patio was up on their feet and singing along. I looked beside me and Brownie was just sitting there shaking his head laughing and muttering "Ya'll r' nuts. This' crazy man". I just laughed and agreed with him. But just as soon as we finished laughing, I believe it was either Cush or Patten that forced us to join the ad lib rugby choir. But with neither of us really knowing the words, it was sort of interesting. But everytime we reached a part that we recognized, you just hear Brownine singing at the top of his lungs with the rest of the team.

And another time (I think at Highland) where Brownie got his first game try and man of the match. We made him stand up on the bench, drinking beer from some random rugby cleat. And while he drank that beer, I believe it was either Andy or Patten that ran up and pulled down his shorts. With his member on full display (and with two ten year old girls with front row seats), he managed to pull his shorts back up and finish his boot full of beer at the same time. And he was laughing. He was having a great time.

Brownie, I'll never forget you.

Bethune 'tuner' Yu

To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Campbell

I never once saw Brownie without a smile on his face. Watching him play rugby gave me a bigger drive because no matter how the situation was, Brownie was always giving 100% no matter what. I really don't think Brownie could do anything without giving it his whole effort, that's just how he seemed. I still can't believe he is gone. I barely got a chance to get to know him. I remember on my birthday we were all at Dick's and me and Jamie, Jennie, and Brownie were playing flippy cups and Brownie just couldn't get the cup to flip...but he just smiled about it. Always smiling. Mike, thanks for welcoming me to the game so easily and making me feel like part of the team. We will all miss you and your heart.

~Dunnie

Attached Image

My sympathy goes out to the Brown family as well as the Detroit Rugby Club as well as the Windsor Rogues. When I heard this news time stood still. I Hate car acccidents and we lost on of the best guys any of us have ever known. We must continue on in this Life ... But we will be A Friend Down. My fondest memorie of Mike was that of the Irish tournament 2005. I played for Detroit and at the games and the beer ups he was the Life of the party and he was Truly a Rugby brother ... I will miss him my whole life.

My favourite Brownie moment would have to be the try "scored" at Niagara the first game of the season. He broke the line of defenders, skirted his way past numerous backs to race into the back of the try zone only to knock the ball on in the in goal. As a team we abused him about it, we rode him for weeks about it, every time he got a break in practice it was "Don't drop it Brownie." He was inexperienced, young, excited about the game.

Brownie was young and inexperienced, and every now and then his feet moved faster than his brain could keep up. In rugby it was easier to see this. I will admit, I was one of the vets when the Coach started running Brownie at 10 that stepped back and said "He's not ready," "He can't handle this." But as is the case with many vets, we get stuck in a rut and don't always want to see past it. Watching Brownie play 10 was absolutely what it was supposed to be. He picked his holes, he made his offloads, he broke through tackles, he communicated well. He did his part.

I will always hear "TEN BALL, TEN BALL"

Is there anything that one can say to ease the pain experienced after the loss of a friend? Since learning of Brownies death late Monday night all that I have been able to think about is what tragic loss this is. I only knew Brownie for 4 months and had I not stayed in Windsor this summer and took additional courses I never would have meet him. My memories of him are limited to road trips and post game beer ups. What I will always remember about him is that in every situation he remained the same person, always smiling, always sincere, always hard on himself when receiving a compliment on his play, and always combing his “hair”. He was always asking questions about the University team and about the parties that we threw. We talked about him making it across the boarder and seeing a game and staying for the post game party. Since Monday every time I think about these things one thing always remains true.

I feel privileged to have known Brownie, and as tuff as it is to loose him, I can take solace in the fact that I am one of the few people in the world who can proudly say that they knew him.

19


That's all I can think about. He was only 19.

I was priviledged enough to play with Brownie on both sides of the border. The two things I remember the most about Brownie, are his willingness to learn (he would take advice from anyone), and his smile!

This kid was always happy. I don't remember ever seeing him without a smile on his face.

I have many stories that I could share with you but the one that stands out the most was a quiet night in Pittsburg in the summer of '05. We had gone out for some drinks after our game on Saturday night, and Brownie couldn't get into the bars due to his age (and his Baby Face). I told him to stick with me and he'd be fine. He followed me around like a puppy. Every bar we went into, as I walked up to the doorman, he snuck in behind me (that's when I first noticed his quickness). We spent that evening joined at the hip drinking Guinness (that was the closest we ever were because on the field I'm usually 25 meters behind him).

My heart goes out to the Brown family and to the rugby community on both sides of the border. We have truly lost a good kid.

The Patten Family.

Brownie was just one of those people that you wanted to be around. He made everyone feel welcome and relaxed.
I remember at a beer up he asked me, "How old do you think I am?" and before I could answer he puilled out his brush 'fixed' his hair and said "OK, now how old do you think I am?"
He didn't stress about the small stuff and he always looked like he was having a good time. And as much as he stuck out, he fit right in. He will truely be missed.

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,!
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely t here's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn! 't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time t o say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

One week has passed since we lost Brownie and I still wake up hoping he was here..
Mike was one of the most enjoyable guys to coach and play with and although it was only for a season, like so many other people, I have a multitude of Brownie memories which will stay with me until I see him again.
I was there that day in Niagara when he dropped the ball in the end zone, had to shoot the boot and got pantsed in front of the 2 young girls who will likely never forget that day either. I was also there when he jumped fully-clothed into Cush's pool much to everyone's delight - that was actually the last time I saw him.
However, there are three other times that stand out to me which demonstrated what a great kid he was and how much he developed over the short time I was fortunate enough to work with him.
The first was the home game against Highland, where Mike fielded a kick on the wing and tried to beat 4 defenders while running away from support. He got tackled easily and I pulled him to one side to tell him that he didn't have to make the big play everytime... but that was Mike, he loved being the gamebreaker - he had such incredible self-belief, that every time he got the ball, he believed he could score. Sure enough, the very next play, we ran a play for him and he went 50 yards for the score on an electric run!
The second memory is from the Ambassador Cup where I played against Brownie at Fly-half and he made me feel every one of the 8 years older that I am. He ran rings around me and I couldn't touch him that day - in fact most of the pictures of Mike where is all alone running in to score are after he had just schooled me!!
The last images I have are from his last game for us against Grimsby, where he finally got to run the show from #10 and did an amazing job - he created angles for others and looked like he had been doing so forever.
That day was supposed to be the start of our club's future - minus myself, the average age of the back line was about 20, with Mike at the heart of it. I know that we will never replace him but that he will remain at the heart of the team, just in a different way.
We have all lost an incredible person, athlete, teammate and friend, but I for one have found a new inspiration.

It is with the deepest sadness I sit and write this today. Our sympathies thoughts and prayers go out to the Brown family. I see too often young people with so much potential cut down too early in Life in tragedies like this. Like many of you I had the pleasure of playing with Brownie on both sides of the border. Brownie personified everything that is good with our sport. He was a tremendous athlete, a hard worker, willing to do what ever it took to learn the game. He showed a real passion for the sport and its rituals.

The thing that stands out in my mind when thinking of Brownie is his smile. It never left his face regardless of the score. A moment that stands out in my mind is a B-side Detroit Tradesmen matchup from 2005 at the tradesmen pitch. Playing fullback I took a blind pass and broke a 35 yard run down the side line. I don't run 35 yards like I used to so I passed off to Brownie at around midfield. Brownie reversed directions, side stepped several tackles and out ran everyone to the try line on the opposite corner. You realize I only said "TO THE TRY LINE", that is because he wasn't able to cross it. No one was within 20 yards of him and he kinocked on just short of the try line. Brownie got himself up and continued on grinning like he just scored the match winning try in the World Cup.

BROWNIE'S PASSION REMINDED ALL OF US WHY WE STILL PLAY THIS GAME.
HIS PASSION WILL REMAIN IN EACH OF US THAT STEPPED ON THE PITCH WITH HIM. HE WILL BE MISSED.

My families deepest and most heartfelt thoughts go out to the Brown family.

Scott "Bishop" Doherty, Lynne Haydt and Family

A message from our brothers in Sarnia...

On behalf of the Sarnia Saints I would like to offer our condolences at the loss of one of your members. It is always difficult to lose someone but it is that much more difficult when they are so young. You are all in our thoughts.



Sincerely,



Craig McKenzie

President

Sarnia Saints RFC

On behalf of the University of Windsor Lancer Rugby Program I would like to offer our condolences at the loss of one of a fine young man and great rugby man. Mike participated in the HS tournament in Windsor in the spring and he definately caught my attention. He was by far one of the best players in the tournament. He seemed to have unlimited energy and played with a smile on his face. I remember talking to him after a game trying to recruit him to come to the University as he is a player we want. He talked to the school's recruiting officer. He was a happy go lucking guy and I remember him. Everytime I went to a Windsor RFC practice or game he came up and said hi and I mentioned how we wanted him. I really had a hard time thinking he was so young. I wish he had more time.

I liked to call him Chris Brown (the 16 year old rapper) and he would get upset, not too upset, and tell me to call him Usher! It didn't really matter what you called him because if you could get the ball to the boy you could simply call him "GONE"