Freeport's Brown wins Martone Award
Martone Award winner Terrell Brown of Freeport High School at the 45th Annual Gridiron Dinner for Nassau County Football held at the Crest Hollow Country Club. (Dec. 1, 2010) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture "The Thinker" has a different pose to depict Terrell Brown.
Instead of fist under chin, the Freeport senior captain sticks his paw in the mud in his three-point stance. Yet the idea is the same, and it belies that of a 17-year old football player.
Part Jesse Jackson orator, part Reggie White sack artist, Brown, whose coaches call him "The Thinker," is highly self-aware. So when you tell him that he and D'Brickashaw Ferguson (2001) are the only Freeport players to win the Martone Award (given to Nassau's best lineman), it's not all humble reflection.
"Ever since I've been on varsity, it's been 'oh, do you wanna follow in D'Brickashaw's steps?' " he said. "I want to pave my own way. I want people to follow in my steps."
Don't mistake Brown as arrogant. He is grateful of the times Ferguson, whom he called "greatness in a body," came to speak to the team over the years. But he also realizes how difficult it is to come off Long Island and make it to the NFL.
Rather than scratch and claw to earn a walk-on spot at a big-time school, the 6-2, 285-pounder verbally committed to Bryant, where he'll receive a free education while playing for a newly-minted I-AA squad.
"Not even 1 percent of high school players from around here make it to the NFL," he said. "It's real facts. At , I wouldn't focus on school, I'd focus more on getting bigger and more elusive. It's not just about football. Football won't last forever in anyone's lives."
But his memories of his time at Freeport will. Brown came to coach Russ Cellan as a tank-sized, middle-school running back, and quickly was molded into one of the most feared lineman on Long Island.
"Once he knew 'this is my role on the team,' he became the most dominating lineman we've had since Brick," Cellan said. "He knocks guys right off the picture watching film. That's just determination."
He helped make Freeport the highest scoring team in L.I. history (511 points) - while remaining contemplative about life and football. Said line coach Toby Elmore: "He's a unique guy, T-Brown. He's an absolute beast on the field, but he's 'The Thinker.' He peeks over when we signal in plays so he can get a head start.
"He likes to see the whole process out there."
