Brown's 64 to be NU's 2nd retired number

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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star

Bob Brown's memorable 2004 soon will become even more special.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, Brown will have his Husker jersey No. 64 retired Nov. 26 at halftime of the Nebraska-Colorado game at Memorial Stadium.

"I'm almost without words, and I'm never at a loss for words," Brown said Tuesday during a teleconference from his home in Oakland, Calif.

Only one other former Husker football player — Tom "Train Wreck" Novak of Omaha, No. 60 — has his number retired. Fifteen other Huskers have their jerseys retired.

A native of Cleveland, Brown in 1963 became former Nebraska head coach Bob Devaney's first All-American. Brown, a two-way lineman, helped Devaney's first two Husker teams post records of 9-2 in 1962 and 10-1 in 1963.

"To know my (number) will be retired and never used again is flattering, exciting," Brown said. "It just makes me feel that now my career has gone full circle, that everything is complete."

Brown decribed Devaney as a "fabulous communicator." Brown last saw Devaney in 1993 when Brown was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

"His office door was always open for you to talk to him," Brown said. "After you talked with Bob, you always felt better."

Brown said his bond with Nebraska "is forever."

If he gets a chance to talk to current players, Brown said he hopes to convey "that you have to believe in each other, believe in the university, know that the program is a winner, and you have to be prepared to walk fire for your coach.

"That's what Bob Devaney was able to invoke. And that's what I believe Coach (Bill) Callahan can invoke."