PRO FOOTBALL NOTE

*Hall of Famer Rosie Brown dead at 71*
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EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - Hall of Famer Roosevelt
"Rosie" Brown, who rose from a 27th-round draft choice to become
one of the finest offensive lineman in NFL history, died
suddenly Wednesday. He was 71.

Brown spent more than half a century in the New York Giants'
organization and was a member of the NFL's 75th All-Anniversary
Team.

"Rosie was a great Giant," owner Wellington Mara said. "He was
with this organization for more than 50 years as a player, coach
and scout. He excelled in every area, and he was always a
gentleman."

Brown was a 27th-round draft choice of the Giants out of Morgan
State in 1953. He quickly won the starting job at left tackle,
where he stayed for 13 seasons. During his career, the Giants
won an NFL championship (1956), six division titles and finished
below .500 just twice.

Five of Brown's teammates also are in the Hall of Fame - Frank
Gifford, Sam Huff, Andy Robustelli, Y.A. Tittle and Emlen
Tunnell.

"Rosie is a Hall of Fame player, and I wouldn't be in the Hall
of Fame if it weren't for him," Gifford said.

A phlebitis condition forced Brown to retire in 1966, and he
immediately joined the Giants' coaching staff.  He later worked
in the team's scouting department.

st 06-10-04 16:45 et