“A damn good dog and a good friend,” said Matt McCormick, a former Georgia linebacker and one of Brown’s close friends.

Brown was born in Sandersville but moved to metro Atlanta in high school and starred at the old Shamrock High. Excelling in wrestling, track and football, Brown signed with Georgia in 1983. He started alongside his good friend Bill Goldberg in 1986-87, totaling 72 tackles and a sack in 1987.

After college, Brown pursued a career in sales and advanced into management in the wine industry. He enjoyed hunting, a good cigar and following Georgia football.

Brown is survived by his wife, Heather, two daughters and a sister and brother. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Madison. A funeral service will be held there at 2 p.m., and graveside services will take place at the Zeta Cemetery in Tennille in Washington County at 5 p.m.