Highlighted Year: Eddie Brown, 1988

Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

Age: 26 (Dec. 17)

4^th season in pro football & with Bengals

College: Miami (FL)

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 185

Prelude:

Following an outstanding college career in which he was part of the 1983 National Championship team and caught 59 passes for 1114 yards and 9 TDs in ‘84, Brown was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft (13^th overall). The retirement of 12-year WR Isaac Curtis opened a starting spot across from fifth-year veteran Cris Collinsworth, and Brown moved immediately into the lineup and caught 53 passes for 942 yards (17.8 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He received NFL Rookie of the Year honors from NEA and The Sporting News and Offensive Rookie of the Year recognition from the Associated Press. Having added to Cincinnati’s explosive passing offense in his first year, Brown accumulated 58 catches for 964 yards (16.6 avg.) and four TDs in 1986 and, in the strike-interrupted ’87 season, had another 44 receptions for 608 yards (13.8 avg.) and three scores.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 53      

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 216 yds.) vs. Pittsburgh 11/6

Yards – 1273 [3, 1^st in AFC]

Most yards, game – 216 (on 7 catches) vs. Pittsburgh 11/6

Average gain – 24.0 [2]

TDs – 9 [5, tied with Jerry Rice & Bruce Hill]

200-yard receiving games – 1

100-yard receiving games – 5

Rushing

Attempts – 1

Yards – -5

TDs – 0

Punt Returns

Returns – 10

Yards – 48

Most yards, game – 14 (on 4 ret.) at New England 10/16

Average per return – 4.8

TDs – 0

Longest return – 13 yards

Scoring

TDs – 9 [18, tied with four others]

Points – 54

Postseason: 3 G

Pass receptions – 4

Most pass receptions, game – 3 vs. San Francisco, Super Bowl

Pass receiving yards – 55

Most pass receiving yards, game – 32 vs. San Francisco, Super Bowl

Average yards per reception – 13.8

Pass receiving TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: NEA

2^nd team All-NFL: AP

1^st team All-AFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Bengals went 12-4 to finish first in the AFC Central while leading the NFL in total yards (6057), rushing yards (2710), touchdowns (59), and scoring (448 points). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Seattle Seahawks (21-13) and AFC Championship over Buffalo Bills (21-10). Lost Super Bowl to San Francisco 49ers (20-16).

Aftermath:

Brown played another three years, following up with 52 catches for 814 yards (15.7 avg.) and six touchdowns in 1989 and pulling in a career-high 59 receptions for 827 yards (14.0 avg.) in 1991. A neck injury cost him the entire 1992 season and effectively ended his career. While criticized for dropping passes on occasion, his big-play ability was undeniable. Over the course of his seven seasons with the Bengals, Brown caught 363 passes for 6134 yards (16.9 avg.) and 41 touchdowns.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970