Mike Brown ( American football ) Mike Brown ( born February 13 , 1978 ) is a former American football safety who played ten seasons in the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was selected with the eighth pick of the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft out of the University of Nebraska by the Chicago Bears . Brown was ranked # 49 in ESPN Chicago ' s " 50 Greatest Bears " poll in 2012 . High school career . Mike Brown graduated from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale , Arizona in 1996 , where he starred in both football and baseball . He is best remembered for taking a knee and kissing the sky after scoring the game winning touchdown in the state championship in 1995 . In football he was an All - State choice and ranked the top defensive back prospect in the country by SuperPrep , and named Arizona Player - of - the - Year by every major publication . Mike Brown was named the state ' s top running back and defensive back by " The Arizona Republic " , which was the first time in 10 years a player received both awards . Mike rushed for 2 , 036 yards ( 9 . 6 avg . ) and 31 touchdowns as a senior . In baseball he played center field and was an All - State choice as a senior , after batting . 426 , and posting 27 stolen bases . College career . Brown enjoyed a stellar college career and is still considered by many fans and experts of Nebraska football to be the greatest strong safety in the modern history of the school . Brown played cornerback as a freshman before playing both safety positions in final three seasons . As a junior , he set Nebraska single - season record for tackles by a defensive back with a career - high 102 and was named to all - Big 12 first - team . Brown enjoyed his greatest season as senior in which he was first - team all - America selection by Associated Press and Football Writers Association and a unanimous all - Big Twelve first - team pick and academic all - American . He started every game and finished the year leading the Huskers with 96 tackles while adding two sacks , one fumble recovery , six forced fumbles and five interceptions , five passes defended . Professional career . The Chicago Bears drafted Brown as 39th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft . Brown was the only rookie to play in the 2000 season ’ s opener , eventually becoming the team ’ s starting free safety for all sixteen games of the season . He recorded the second most tackles on the team that year and one interception that was returned for a touchdown . He received accolades from " Pro Football Weekly " , " Football News " and " Football Digest " , but lost the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award to teammate Brian Urlacher . The following year , he had two memorable performances , during which he returned two interceptions for two consecutive overtime wins , making him the first player in league history to accomplish the feat . The 2001 Bears finished the season with a 13 - 3 record and one of the league ’ s most prominent defenses . Brown recorded a team leading five interceptions including 2 in overtime that were returned for touchdowns that year . However , the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the team in the postseason ’ s second round . Brown recorded three interceptions and 111 tackles in 2002 , despite sustaining a hand injury during the off season . One of his most notable performances came when he returned a fumble for a 68 - yard touchdown , following a fumble and lateral pass from Rosevelt Colvin . In addition to the return he had forced three fumbles that season . However , Brown only intercepted two passes during the 2003 season , and tied for third among tackles on the team . After sustaining an Achilles injury in 2004 , which forced him to miss the last 14 games , and a calf - injury in 2005 which made him miss the last four games of 2005 , the Bears defense was noticeably less effective . Brown tried to play in a January 2006 Divisional Playoff game for the Bears against the Carolina Panthers , but had to leave the game in the first quarter . The Panthers would go on to win the game , 29 - 21 . During week six of the 2006 Chicago Bears season , Brown suffered a Lisfranc fracture . The ailment forced him to undergo surgery , and sent him to Bears ' injured reserve for the remainder of the season . Brown is also noted by teammates and coaches for his on - field coaching ability . He made the NFL transitions much easier for his fellow safeties Chris Harris and Danieal Manning by making sure they were in the correct positions . Brian Urlacher often referred to him as the actual leader of the defense . Brown returned to the field during the 2007 season ' s mini - camp , making a recovery much earlier than expected . Brown recorded an interception during the 2007 season ' s opener against the San Diego Chargers . However , he sustained a knee injury after Lorenzo Neal horse - collar tackle d him . Brown returned to the locker room , and emotionally stated that something in his knee did not feel right . Further medical examination confirmed that Brown would miss the remainder of the season . Neal , who knew he was at fault immediately after the play , apologized to Brown and the media . Brian Urlacher , one of Brown ’ s longtime teammates and friends , stated he was unsure whether Brown would attempt another comeback . The Bears reached an agreement with Brown on a restructured contract on May 20 , 2008 . This deal protects Chicago if Brown gets hurt for the fourth time in his career . He will still make his annual $ 2 . 44 million , but only $ 950 , 000 of it is guaranteed for being on the Week 1 roster . The rest of the money can be based on playing time . If Brown gets injured in preseason , he gets just $ 320 , 000 . Brown sustained a calf injury during the Bears ' second - to - last game of the 2008 season , and was subsequently placed on the injury reserve . Brown was just one game away from completing his first full season in more than four years . On February 14 , 2009 , the Chicago Bears announced that they would not offer a contract to Mike Brown . He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on June 24 . Brown started in all 16 games for the Chiefs , recording three interceptions and 79 tackles . He is currently a free agent .