The offensive tackles are physical specimens of their own. The biggest players in the NFL are often OTs. One of them is Spencer Brown. At 6′ 8″ and 341 lbs, the Buffalo Bills OT was much leaner when he was young. However, as he grew up, he made efforts to bulk up, and those paid up massively.
Brown’s parents played a key role in helping him become the beast he is today. Let’s explore his journey.
Who are Spencer Brown’s parents?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Spencer Brown was born on February 28, 1996, in Lenox, Iowa, to Liz Jessen and Kurt Brown. Liz was a high school principal who focused on her children’s education. Kurt ran a 100-acre firm with 100 cattle heads where the OT grew up with his brother Garrett.
While Spencer Brown attended school, he needed to work on the farm whenever he had time. On days when he was free, the OT had to work from the sun until sundown. It taught him hard work, which later led him to succeed in the tough league. After having breakfast before 6 am, the brothers often rode the tractor, walked the beans, and threw the bales.
View this post on Instagram
The family had one diet rule for the young boys. They had breakfast before 6, and the day ended with supper at 9. Working on the farm was also another rule that he was not allowed to break. Even during the basketball games, he had to come back to the farm during the break to grind the feed for the cattle.
What’s your perspective on:
Did Spencer Brown's farm upbringing give him an edge in the NFL's tough environment?
Have an interesting take?
Growing up, it helped him to overcome different challenges.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Spencer Brown beefed up the old-school way
With such a massive size, the OT easily excelled in many games, including basketball, baseball, and football. Then came the time to choose one of the various sports. He chose football as his professional career. But there was an issue. He played as a tight end and weighed around 250 lbs. However, his parents had a solution.
Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley drove up to his farm and met Spencer Brown for the first time. He was immediately impressed by his big physique. The coach offered a scholarship to Northern Iowa University. Brown happily accepted. Farley took him in as a tight end at 235 lbs and told him to bulk up.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
His parents brought him a freezer and ensured it was always full. Then, his bulking journey began. For the entire year, he ate 6 brats and a tub of yogurt. Old-school! The beef diet worked wonders. The OT weighed 305 pounds without losing any mobility. That was a huge boost.
Then came the 2021 NFL draft. The Buffalo Bills picked him. Now, Spencer Brown is enjoying his NFL journey.
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Did Spencer Brown's farm upbringing give him an edge in the NFL's tough environment?