Charles 'Kippy' Brown, first Black quarterback at University of Memphis and Super Bowl-winning coach, dies at 71

<p>Charles "Kippy" Brown died this week at age 71. The cause of death is unknown.</p><p>Brown began his football career as a quarterback at the University of Memphis from 1974-77, becoming the first Black quarterback in the school's history. He was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, and he received the Billy J. Murphy Award.</p><p>Born in Sweetwater, Tennessee, Brown started his coaching career at the University of Memphis in 1978. He later served as a wide receivers coach at Louisville and Tennessee before moving to the professional level.</p><p>With the New York Jets, he was the running backs coach from 1990-92. After his time with the Jets, he returned to Tennessee for two years as the wide receivers coach. Brown continued coaching in the NFL, working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and Seattle Seahawks. He also spent a year as the head coach of the Memphis Maniax in the XFL.</p><p>During his time with the Seahawks from 2010-14, Brown was the wide receivers coach when the team made consecutive Super Bowl appearances. He coached players such as Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Jermaine Kearse, and Sidney Rice, earning respect and affection from both players and staff.</p><p>Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll remarked on Brown's positive spirit, stating, "He was a great friend to everybody, because he had such a positive, good, fun-loving spirit. Everybody loved being around Kip... He was a wonderful person, and my heart goes out to Deon and the family. It's a beautiful family."</p><p>Baldwin credited Brown with significantly influencing his career, stating, "For me as a young person to have him as my rookie coach, I know I would not have been the player I was if it wasn't for Kippy. I owe a great deal to him as a coach who helped me develop as a player, but also the man that he was... I wouldn't be the man that I am today without Kippy Brown."</p><p>Brown is survived by his wife, Deon, and his two children, Jennifer and Jeome.</p>