Although not initially expected to be highly drafted, Brown's performance at the NFL combine boosted his stock. Brown was selected 17th overall by the Detroit Lions in the
1996 NFL draft. In his second season, he recorded 2.5 sacks to go along with two interceptions, both of which went for touchdown returns. Brown ultimately played in 26 games. In his final game, Brown suffered a
spinal cord contusion while assisting on a tackle of
New York Jets halfback Adrian Murrell in the final game of the
1997 season, the same game that saw
Barry Sanders cross the 2,000-yard mark for the season. He lay motionless for 17 minutes on the turf at the
Pontiac Silverdome, briefly losing consciousness, with
CPR saving his life. Emergency surgery, rehabilitation, and use of a special back brace saved him from using a wheelchair for the rest of his life. ==Post-football career==