Lee Brown: Servant and all-around cool guy

By Merrily Brast, former Staff Writer

Looking at Lee Brown, you may not be shocked to discover he once played football professionally (although, goodness gracious, pro football – that’s impressive, right?). What may surprise you is the tender heart and love for the Lord lurking under those chiseled shoulders and huge biceps.

Lee Brown’s faith surfaces quickly in almost any conversation – be it coaching, parenting or working with UGM residents in his position as Director of In-Kind Donations.

Before getting into full-time ministry, however, Lee lived a couple of other lives.

LIVING THE DREAM?

Like many young boys, Lee dreamed of playing football professionally.

“You know in my hopes and dreams, that’s what I, my brothers and you know, my uncles, we always talk about – kids in the neighborhood being able to play on a professional level.” But, when he finally made the pros in Canada, it was not all he thought it would be. “Once I got there, it was kind of bittersweet. I was glad I was able to make it in rookie camp, it’s just, there was still some emptiness. And you think, man, all since I was a child, that was something I had always dreamt of.”

After a few years, Lee left professional football in hopes of finding more fulfilling work. But two jobs later, the only result was the same emptiness he had previously experienced. “After a few years it was more clear to me, ‘cause now I had developed a really strong relationship with Christ, and it was real to me that He was saying, ‘This is not what I have for you. This is not what you were born to do.’”

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

Lee eventually stopped working as manager of the shoe department at Nordstrom and became the Production Supervisor for the UGM Thrift Stores. The position brought him face-to-face with new opportunities. “God gave me a great opportunity to…the first thing He said to me was…some of these guys have never had a male role model to just listen to them and take them seriously. And never had any encouragement from a male that was anything positive, so first of all, putting myself into position to say, ‘I am gonna listen to you, and you are valued, you are valuable to me.’”

By being open and honest with the men about his own struggles, Lee welcomes them to be open about their struggles as well. Their relationship is built upon trust and mutual acknowledgment of their need for Christ.

And don’t think Lee gave football up altogether. He now uses his football talents through coaching at a local high school, creating even more opportunity.

“Coaching to me was just another opportunity to instill, and an opportunity to witness. Every Tuesday I have players over at my house…it’s just an opportunity for me to say, ‘I’m open to anything you have going on that you have questions, whether it’s football, whether it’s school, whether it’s just social issues or whatever.’”

It is the combination of Lee’s tough football persona with his willingness to listen and encourage that causes his players to say, “Coach Brown, man you’re so cool.” 

Lee and his team value the commitment of the volunteers who come alongside them to sort and display donations. If you're interested in working alongside men and women in recovery and being part of the team, sign up for an orientation to get the ball rolling.