Following the end of the 2023 season, the San Francisco 49ers bolstered their depth at defensive line by signing Earnest Brown IV to a one-year deal.
Keep reading to learn more about Brown IV.
Bay Area Born
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Although Brown IV grew up and lived most of his life in Texas, the defensive lineman is originally from the Bay Area.
"I was born in the San Francisco area," Brown IV said in a post-draft interview. "In Walnut Creek actually. I don't remember as a baby but six months passed and then I moved to Texas."
Multi-Sport Athlete
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Brown IV comes from a multi-sport background.
In addition to playing football at Billy Ryan High School, the defensive lineman also was the captain of the varsity basketball team and competed in shot put and discus events in track & field.
Collegiate Career
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Brown IV attended Northwestern University from 2017-20, where he appeared in 39 games and tallied 66 tackles, 7.0 sacks, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
In his senior year, Brown IV was named to Phil Steele's 2020 Preseason All-Big Ten Team, Athlon Sports' Preseason All-Big Ten Team and finished the season second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5).
Viral Draft Story
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Brown IV's draft story went viral after getting the call from the Los Angeles Rams.
The defensive lineman was selected in the fifth round (174th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, and when he heard the news from Rams general manager Les Snead, he immediately celebrated and chunked his cellphone across his mother's living room out of excitement. Head coach Sean McVay attempted to chat with Brown IV, but with silence on the other side of the line, McVay said, "He hung up on me," with a laugh.
"I threw my phone and went upstairs to go find my sister," Brown shared. "I hugged her for a long time, and then I went to go find my mom... California popped up on my phone. I thought, 'Oh snap. No way.' I was the happiest man."
NFL Career
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Over Brown's three-year career with the Rams (2021-23), he has appeared in 12 games (three starts) and registered 14 tackles (one for loss).
In 2023, Brown appeared in seven games and registered five tackles.
