Tabor’s Ben Brown signs with Green Bay Packers

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TOM STOPPEL
The reputation of Tabor College was bolstered Monday when Bluejays’ Ben Brown was signed to a free-agent contract by the Green Bay Packers.

“That means I’m not definitely on the team, but I am on the team,” said Brown, flashing his trademark smile. “I get to go up to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and try out with the team.”

Brown, a second-team All-KCAC selection in 2005 at fullback, is widely known for tenacious blocks that helped pave the way for first-team All-American tailback Roger Butler.

Brown will be competing against about 80 players for a spot on the Packers’ 56-man roster in 2006.

Although Brown’s season ended last fall, his workouts were just beginning in preparation for this day.

“I’ve been back and forth to California training, running and conditioning at a place called Velocity Gym,” Brown said. “I was also involved in a Pro-day combine at Kansas State University a few weeks ago.”

Even though Brown doesn’t have an NCAA Division I school on his resume, his abilities were second to none when the muscular Los Banos, Calif., native stepped on the field in an effort to impress professional scouts.

“I did real good,” Brown said. “All of my stats were ranked as being in the top five of all fullbacks in the nation, so I was right up there.”

Brown had entertained thoughts of hearing his name on ESPN on draft day, but the fact that it didn’t happen hasn’t affected him at all.

“I was ready for anything on draft day,” Brown said. “I’m just happy to get signed and I’m not disappointed I didn’t get drafted.

“I feel a lot of other teams are the ones that are at a loss because I won’t be on their team.”

Several other teams were considering retaining the services of Brown, including the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.

“They all told me if I wasn’t drafted they’d be calling me, but Green Bay was the first team to call and I was happy to sign with them,” he said.

Brown leaves on Thursday or Friday for a three-day mini camp at Green Bay.

Even though he isn’t certain what that camp consists of, Brown said he’s not worried about the results.

“I’m not sure if they’ll be making cuts during this camp or not, but it doesn’t really matter to me because I’m not planning on getting cut,” he said. “I’m not worried too much about that process.”

While Brown has shown his skills as a fullback, he said he wouldn’t complain if he was asked to contribute to the club in other ways.

“If I play special teams, that won’t matter to me at all-just as long as I make the team,” he said. “I just thank God for this opportunity and thank my family (wife Shrell and daughter Nia) for going through all the hard times when I came out here to play football and they stayed in California.

“My only thoughts right now are to just go hard, be able to feed my family and praise God.”

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