Ricky Brown Richard Gerald Brown ( born December 27 , 1983 ) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent . He was signed by the Ravens as an free agent in 2012 . He played college football at Boston College . He has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots . Early years . Brown played football for Cincinnati Elder High School , where he played safety . Brown also ran track . Brown went on to win the 100m , 200m and 400m Greater Catholic League track titles in 2002 . College career . Brown played college football at Boston College , where he played Linebacker . During his freshman year , 2002 , Brown was a member of The Sporting News Big East All - Rookie Team . In 2005 , Brown was a member of the ACC All - Academic Team . He was the winner of the 2005 Scanlan Award , an award given by the Boston College Varsity Club Award to the senior football player outstanding in scholarship , leadership , and athletic ability . Professional career . Oakland Raiders . An undrafted free agent in 2006 , Brown made a good impression with the Oakland Raiders during training camp and made it to the Raiders ' practice squad . He was put on the active roster for the Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers when the Oakland Raiders waived J . P . Foschi to make room for Brown . Brown went on to play in the remaining 13 games of the 2006 season . In 2007 , Brown appeared in all 16 games , making his first career start against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 . Brown was a restricted exclusive rights free agent in 2008 , re - signing with the Raiders in March . Brown won the starting SAM linebacker position in training camp and played in 7 games before a groin injury sidelined him before the week 9 match - up against the Atlanta Falcons . The groin injury ended up being a misdiagnosed sports hernia , or athletic pubalgia that eventually was surgically repaired after Brown was placed on Injured Reserve before the week 17 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In 2009 , Brown was a restricted free agent , and received a 2nd Round Tender from Oakland in March . Brown signed the 1 - year deal , and went into training camp playing both the SAM and MIKE linbacker positions . Brown and Kirk Morrison were in competition for the MIKE linebacker position , eventually with Morrison playing MIKE and Brown playing SAM on 1st and 2nd downs , and Brown moving to MIKE on 3rd down , nickel situations . During the Raiders ' week 5 match - up versus the New York Giants , Brown suffered an ankle injury that would eventually end his season . Brown attempted to rehab the injury , but was placed on Injured Reserve during week 11 . Brown had surgery 2 weeks later on the ankle . In 2010 , Brown was a restricted free agent again , and received a 2nd Round Tender from Oakland in March . Brown signed the 1 - year deal , and went into training camp as a back - up at MIKE linebacker behind 1st - round pick Rolando McClain . Brown went on to play in 14 games , including 1 start . In 2011 , Brown received a 2nd Round Tender from Oakland in March , but the tender rendered invalid when a new collective bargaining agreement was reached on July 25 , 2011 , bringing unrestricted free agency back to 4 accrued seasons . New England Patriots . On August 20 , 2011 signed a contract with the New England Patriots . The terms of the contract were not disclosed . He was released on September 2 . Second stint with Raiders . Brown re - signed with the Oakland Raiders on September 4 . He was cut on November 29 , 2011 . Baltimore Ravens . On July 25 , 2012 Brown signed with the Baltimore Ravens . He won his first championship title after the Baltimore Ravens won against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII .