MU alum Troy Brown center of jokes

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HUNTINGTON -- A prevailing theme echoed in the moments leading to Thursday night's Troy Brown Celebrity Roast.

How do you roast this guy?

More than 15 years after helping lead Marshall University to its first NCAA Division I-AA national championship, Brown remains a favored Son of Marshall. Throughout an esteemed National Football League career, the South Carolina native has made his offseason home in Huntington.

"I'm going to have a problem," former Marshall teammate and good friend Mike Bartrum said. "I don't know anything but good things, and here we are trying to roast this guy. This is my first roast and I might be the lame duck here. They might be laughing at me."

Both between the lines and off the field, Brown strictly is behind the scenes. He's served as the understated leader of three New England Patriot Super Bowl championship squads and quietly contributes to numerous youth-based charities during the offseason.

All of which, of course, made for an interesting evening at Pullman Plaza Hotel. Brown's celebrity roasters, like the main attraction, were comprised of solid, family-first citizens who weren't exactly known for their blue humor. Brown, meanwhile, avoids the spotlight at every opportunity.

That was evident prior to his introduction. Standing across from his former Thundering Herd teammate seconds prior to Brown's introduction to an overflow crowd, a long-time friend sensed a bit of nerves.

"Troy, relax," he said. "Relax, just have fun."

All involved did just that over the ensuing three-plus hours. Far more a celebration than roast, an across-the-board panel shared stories of the unlikely 5-foot-9 college standout who became New England's all-time leading receiver.

Coaches from the Little League, high school, junior college, Marshall and NFL levels spoke in person or on video. His youth league coach joked that "you didn't know if he was coming or going," because Brown's oversized helmet would rotate side to side. Later in the evening, Patriots owner Bob Kraft said, "I think my wife has pretty good taste in the men she chooses, and after our first season, he was my wife's favorite player."

Roast contributors included Brown's mother, his wife, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, former Patriots coach Bill Parcells, former Marshall coach Jim Donnan and former Herd teammates Phil Ratliff, Will Brown, William King and Mark Mason.

Arguably the heartiest laugh of the night was earned by Kim Brown, who shared the story of their first meeting that led to marriage and two sons. Troy asked Kim to dance during a college party in Huntington and offered a line that didn't exactly impress.

"What a nerd," Kim said to a round of laughter.

The light-natured event raised funds for Camp Good Grief, a bereavement camp for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Camp Good Grief is offered for free and is an extension of Hospice, a cause close to the Brown family.

When Troy's grandmother died nearly three years ago, Hospice aided his family throughout.

"They were great to my mother and my mother-in-law," Troy said. "It gave them a great break, and a chance to recover and to get a sense about them."

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Troy Brown can’t help but laugh as friends, family, teammates and coaches take jabs as Brown was honored during the “Troy Brown Celebrity Roast” on Thursday at the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Sonny Randle kept the crowd in stitches whenever he was at the podium Thursday.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Dwayne Brown tells childhood stories of his younger brother Troy during the roast.