MAY 30, 2007 - KATY, TX -  Darren Brown has achieved many things in his well-accomplished life thus far. So what did it mean to him when he drilled a game-winning, 32-yard field goal through very narrow, arena football uprights this past Saturday night that propelled he and his weekend co-workers to a 61-60 victory? "I play just for those moments – it’s the ultimate thrill to win a big game in the final seconds," said the 27-year old from Hendersonville, North Carolina who now resides in Round Rock, Texas. Brown continues, “Nolan Ryan has said, ‘every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.’  As a kicker, those opportunities rarely present themselves.  I’ve been blessed with an ability to focus under pressure, so there’s nobody outside of Indianapolis in professional football [referring to the Colts Adam Vinatieri] I would trust more than myself with the game on the line.”

A former All-American kicker at Wofford College, Brown is a property tax attorney at Popp, Gray, and Hutcheson, LLP in Austin during the week. But on Saturdays, he joins up with the Katy Ruff Riders (5-1) of the Intense Football League at whichever venue they happen to be playing at, in order to keep his competitive edge. Brown joined the Ruff Riders after their second game of the year, when the team was 1-1, and the team has won four straight games since then. He manages to work in some late evening practice time twice a week, and through four games Brown has connected on 7 of 9 field goal tries, and leads the league with a .778 FG percentage. He ranks second with 38 points scored among kickers, and is averaging 9.5 points per game.

Although he was born without a left hand, he certainly does not let it hold him back. "My parents always pushed me to participate and excel in sports, and they never treated me differently because I have one hand," said Brown, who enjoys being able to compete in basketball, softball, and soccer when it’s not football season. "I've been able to adapt just like anyone else who has to overcome a perceived obstacle. I hope that kids who see me play can see that not everybody is born the same way, but no matter what, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to." 

BIO: Darren Brown received his legal education at The University of Texas School of Law and was awarded his JD in 2005. While in law school, Darren was an active member of the Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law, became certified as a Texas Mediator, and served on the student-faculty Technology Committee. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2005. While earning an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at Wofford College, Darren graduated cum laude and earned NCAA All-American honors as a kicker on the football team. He was also Chairman of the Wofford College Judicial Court and a Bonner Scholar. At East Henderson High School in North Carolina, Brown earned nine varsity letters and was voted by his peers as “Most Athletic” in his senior class.