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Running Against the Grain: The Story of Philadelphia Eagle and Movie Star Timmy Brown
Timmy Brownwent from being a child of divorce living at an orphanage in rural Indiana to sports success at Ball State, where he is remembered as perhaps the school's greatest athlete. In the 1960s, he played pro football at Green Bay and in Philadelphia. More than 50 years after he left the Eagles, he still held four team records. He ended his career as a Baltimore Colt at Super Bowl III. And he wasn’t just a jock.
His dream was to have equal success on stage, as a singer and actor. His recordings and live appearances scored in the Philadelphia area, and his acting career led him to roles in two of the most acclaimed movies of the 1970s. He was friends or romantic partners with top stars of his time -- among them Chubby Checker, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, and Elliott Gould. But as a Black man, he had to deal with the overt racism of his times. And his outspoken honesty didn't lead to continuing professional success. Yet he never quit, moving on to helping troubled youths in California, and establishing a family of his own while in his 50s.
While dreams can change and goals can go unmet, Timmy Brown's character and perseverance remained constants. His life is unique and fascinating.
His dream was to have equal success on stage, as a singer and actor. His recordings and live appearances scored in the Philadelphia area, and his acting career led him to roles in two of the most acclaimed movies of the 1970s. He was friends or romantic partners with top stars of his time -- among them Chubby Checker, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, and Elliott Gould. But as a Black man, he had to deal with the overt racism of his times. And his outspoken honesty didn't lead to continuing professional success. Yet he never quit, moving on to helping troubled youths in California, and establishing a family of his own while in his 50s.
While dreams can change and goals can go unmet, Timmy Brown's character and perseverance remained constants. His life is unique and fascinating.
428 pages, Hardcover
Published November 21, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 8, 2026
I found Timmy’s story totally enthralling and truly loved reading it. I appreciated the amount of detail put into not only the music mentioned throughout the book, but also the games Timmy played and the people who made a mark on his life.
I took notes on pages that stuck with me, and one I marked was Timmy saying he felt more comfortable running through people than finding holes in the defense because it made him feel confident and comfortable. I found that fascinating. Another detail that stood out was the fact that Timmy would keep all sizes of shoes and sports equipment in his car just in case someone wanted to test or challenge him. I loved that because it says so much about both his competitive spirit and his care for others.
I was especially glad to learn about Timmy beyond his football career. The stories shared by his family and friends added so much to the book and provided a rich understanding of the kind of person he was. Sean’s memories and descriptions of time with his father were especially meaningful to read.
Another aspect of the book that I appreciated was its discussion of race and the realities Timmy faced growing up and throughout his entire professional career and life. Those parts of the story, along with Timmy’s unwavering commitment to football and film, make it much more than just a sports story.
There is so much to take away from this story and many lessons to be learned from Timmy’s life. His dedication and drive are incredibly admirable, and I learned a great deal from reading about him. The amount of information and care packed into these pages is remarkable. I can definitely see why it took 14 years to write.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and have already recommended it to others. Coming from a Cowboys fan, I didn’t expect to become so attached to the story of an Eagles legend, but it truly is so much deeper than football. Whether you are a football fan or simply enjoy reading about remarkable people, I highly recommend giving this book a chance.
I took notes on pages that stuck with me, and one I marked was Timmy saying he felt more comfortable running through people than finding holes in the defense because it made him feel confident and comfortable. I found that fascinating. Another detail that stood out was the fact that Timmy would keep all sizes of shoes and sports equipment in his car just in case someone wanted to test or challenge him. I loved that because it says so much about both his competitive spirit and his care for others.
I was especially glad to learn about Timmy beyond his football career. The stories shared by his family and friends added so much to the book and provided a rich understanding of the kind of person he was. Sean’s memories and descriptions of time with his father were especially meaningful to read.
Another aspect of the book that I appreciated was its discussion of race and the realities Timmy faced growing up and throughout his entire professional career and life. Those parts of the story, along with Timmy’s unwavering commitment to football and film, make it much more than just a sports story.
There is so much to take away from this story and many lessons to be learned from Timmy’s life. His dedication and drive are incredibly admirable, and I learned a great deal from reading about him. The amount of information and care packed into these pages is remarkable. I can definitely see why it took 14 years to write.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and have already recommended it to others. Coming from a Cowboys fan, I didn’t expect to become so attached to the story of an Eagles legend, but it truly is so much deeper than football. Whether you are a football fan or simply enjoy reading about remarkable people, I highly recommend giving this book a chance.
January 8, 2023
My uncle Roy Weaver wrote this book. I will be honest, I was not familiar with Timmy Brown. It was an easy to read, and well researched biography of this Indiana native. Timmy Brown had a career in the NFL. He was a wonderful singer. He was also an actor. This book vividly describes these three phases of his life. As a music fan, I found that part of the story to be the most interesting to me. I would recommend this book if you are an Eagles fan. If you ever watched M.A.S.H. If you like Chubby Checker. Forget it. Just read this book. It was a fun way to start my year!
September 2, 2026
Never heard of this guy before I picked this book up. Very cool story.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews