Jerry Brown was a teammate of Josh Brent at Illinois for three seasons before they played on the Dallas Cowboys this season. (Photo: AP) 7:28PM EST December 8. 2012 - Indianapolis Colts senior director of communications Avis Roper recalled 25-year-old Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown as a hard-working, caring player who embraced his commitment to the Indianapolis Colts and the community as an undrafted rookie out of Illinois. COWBOYS TRAGEDY: Josh Brent arrested after crash kills teammate BRENNAN: NFL struggling through dark days "He was a great kid, a really nice kid,'' Roper told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday after Brown was killed early Saturday morning when a car driven by Cowboys teammate Josh Brent left the road and flipped several times in Irving, Texas. "Jerry spent the whole offseason with us. He was a regular part of our rookie class, with (quarterback) Andrew Luck and (tight end) Coby Fleener," Roper said. "We had a number of different charity events, and Jerry was always a willing participant when we introduced players to the city, including at Riley's Children's Hospital.'' Jerry Brown, shown here at Illinois in action against Ohio State in a 2007 game, was killed in a car crash on Saturday. (Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports) Brown, a practice-squad linebacker, was killed when the 2007 Mercedes S60 driven by Brent flipped on Highway 114 at 2:21 a.m., police said -- one week after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend, then drove to the Chiefs facility and committed suicide. NFL OFFICIAL : Alcohol education a 'hot spot' REACTION : Death of Jerry Brown draws outpouring of comments Responding officers believed alcohol to be a contributing factor. Police said Brent did not pass sobriety tests and underwent a mandatory blood draw at a nearby hospital. Brent was arrested on charges of intoxication manslaughter, Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz said. Police have not yet determined if Brent or Brown were wearing seat belts, Argumaniz said In a statement released by the team, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said of Brown: "On behalf of the entire Colts family, our sincerest condolences go out to Jerry's family and friends. He was a good teammate that was well liked by all. Today's tragic news is just another reminder of how fragile life is and how every day given is a gift.'' EX-PLAYER: Another dead member of fraternity Brown was a member of the Cowboys practice squad, signing with the team in October, following his release by the Colts. He appeared in one game for Indianapolis, according to nfl.com. "It's tragic,'' Dallas Cowboys director of player programs Calvin Hill told USA TODAY Sports. "A life ended too quickly.'' Brown and Brent played together at Illinois from 2007-2009. Coming out of high school, Brown chose Illinois over offers from his in-state program, Missouri, as well as Oklahoma, Nebraska, Louisville and Michigan State, according to the recruiting site Rivals.com. After redshirting as a true freshman, Brown played in 13 games and had 2 ½ sacks during Illinois' surprising run to the 2007 Rose Bowl. A year later, he played in 11 games but made only four tackles, ceding his spot in the Illini's defensive line rotation. Replay The St. Louis native had a superb spring game in 2009, making a game-high seven tackles and two sacks, perhaps pointing to a breakout season. But he had "serious academic problems,'' then-Illiniois coach Ron Zook said that summer. While Zook hoped Brown could return to the program, Brown never played another down for the Illini. Brown initially signed with the Arena Football League's Jacksonville Sharks in 2011 and was a contributor to the Sharks' victory in Arena Bowl XXIV with one tackle, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He previously played for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League and the San Antonio Talons of the AFL. Said NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt, "Jerry Brown was a good size/speed guy for the linebacker position at 6-4, 253. He's one of those guys you take a chance on to develop on the practice squad.'' Contributing: Paul Myerberg Replay Story Highlights
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Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/12/08/who-was-jerry-brown-jr-on-and-off-field/1756067/
Who was Cowboys' Jerry Brown on and off the field?
Tire ruts are seen on the ground with skid marks, at rear on road, at the site of single vehicle accident involving Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent as a news cameraman, rear, films the area in Irving, Texas. Brent is facing an intoxication manslaughter charge after a one-vehicle accident that killed linebacker Jerry Brown, a member of the team's practice squad. Tony Gutierrez, AP
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Tire skid marks are seen leaving the road as news cameraman film the area where the single-vehicle accident occurred. Tony Gutierrez, AP
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A motorcyclist drives by the site of the single-vehicle accident. Tony Gutierrez, AP
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This photo provided by the Irving Police Department shows Dallas Cowboys' Josh Brent. Brent has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after he was speeding early Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, in Irving, Texas, and his vehicle hit a curb and flipped, resulting in the death of teammate Jerry Brown. Irving Police Department
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Josh Brent enters the field on opening day of training camp. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
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Josh Brent on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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Josh Brent against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in 2010. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports
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Dallas Cowboys Josh Brent on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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Josh Brent before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in 2010. Jody Gomez, USA TODAY Sports
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown fumbles the ball after being hit by Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent and linebacker Dan Conner during the game at Cowboys Stadium. Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is tackled by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and nose tackle Josh Brent in the second half at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports
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Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent tackles St Louis Rams running back Daryl Richardson in the third quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports
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Josh Brent sits on the bench during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
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Josh Brent reacts late in an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. Brandon Wade, AP
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Dallas Cowboys' Josh Brent (92) signals a play to the defense in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) ORG XMIT: OTKTG171 Tony Gutierrez, AP
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Carolina Panthers guard Geoff Hangartner blocks Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent as Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart scoots by during the second half of their game Oct. 21. Mike McCarn, AP
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Carolina Panthers guard Geoff Hangartner blocks Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. Mike McCarn, AP
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan rolls out as guard Peter Konz blocks Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Josh Brent during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. Rich Addicks, AP
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Josh Brent causes Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown to fumble the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. Tony Gutierrez, AP
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