Ben Brown’s grandfather played in the original Super Bowl

New England Patriots

Allen Brown was a member of the Green Bay Packers’ Suepr Bowl I and II championship teams. Now, grandson Ben gets to play in Super Bowl LX with the Patriots.

FOXBOROUGH — When the Patriots take the field for Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, offensive lineman Ben Brown will be following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

Allen Brown was a member of the Vince Lombardi-coached Green Bay Packers teams that won Super Bowl I and II. He was a two-time All-SEC selection at tight-end and was taken in the third round of the 1965 draft, although his career was cut short by injuries.

Two of Allen Brown’s sons, including Ben’s father, Tim Brown, played football at Ole Miss. Ben, who played at Ole Miss from 2017-2021, makes it three generations of Brown men who played in the Rebels’ program.

Speaking at his locker on Thursday, Brown recalled what it was like seeing his grandfather wear his Super Bowl rings.

“Papa would have both of his Super Bowl 1, Super Bowl 2 rings on,” Brown said. “They weren’t as flashy back then, they had one or two diamonds on them, but it was definitely super special.”

He said his grandfather didn’t talk too much about the games, preferring to focus on spending quality time with his loved ones.

“He did some,” Ben said. “But really my grandfather, he would tell some stories and stuff but he really cared about his children and his grandchildren more.”

Ben, who signed a two-year contract extension with the Patriots earlier this year, said it’s still hard to believe that New England is back in the Super Bowl. After back-to-back four-win seasons, the Patriots are in the midst of one of the sport’s greatest turnarounds.

“It’s something that I’ve definitely always dreamed about,” Brown said. “And now that it’s actually happening, it’s still kind of hard to fathom, that we’re going to the Super Bowl.” 

Brown has another connection to Super Bowl history. He’s from Vickburg, Mississippi, which is the same hometown as Patriots Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler. Butler caught the game-sealing interception at the goal line the last time the Patriots played the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, 11 years ago.

“The Patriots Seahawks one was a big deal because Malcolm Butler is from Vickburg, Mississippi, so that was pretty cool to see,” said Brown.

Now, the Patriots are in for a rematch with Seattle. Brown said he’s not quite sure what his grandfather would say if he were still here. Allen Brown died in 2020.

The younger Brown is excited to represent his family and the Patriots on the big stage. Six decades after his grandfather became a part of Super Bowl history, Brown has a chance to make championship memories of his own.

“The first thing that comes through my mind is obviously the culmination of a great season,” Brown said. “It’s something that everyone strives for, something that everyone dreams for and only a small percentage get an opportunity to do.” 

Khari A. Thompson

Sports Reporter

Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.