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Wednesday, December 31, 1997

Aggies find a way to honor injured linebacker Reggie Brown

By DENNE H. FREEMAN

Associated Press

DALLAS - Texas A&M linebacker Dat Nguyen, who has made the all-Big 12 teams the last two years, said injured Detroit linebacker Reggie Brown taught him how to compete and be humble.

"He's one of the greatest all-around persons I've ever known," Nguyen said. "He was fun to be around. He taught me a lot about intensity and giving your best."

So it was no wonder the Aggies wanted to honor their former teammate, who suffered a probably career-ending neck injury late in the Lions' 13-10 victory Dec. 21 over the New York Jets. Doctors say he is responding to treatment after neck surgery.

"What happened to him was sad. I guess you never know which play will be your last because of some freak accident," Nguyen said.

The Aggies were going to wear a decal with the No. 59 on it in the Cotton Bowl game on Thursday against No. 5-ranked UCLA, but the NCAA ruled against it. The NCAA cited a statute that limits honorary helmet displays to active college players who died during the season.

Now, the Aggies plan to wear a T-shirt with the No. 59 on it under their jerseys.

Nguyen said some players will also honor Brown, who has spinal cord damage, in other ways.

"We'll have his number on socks and sweat bands," Nguyen said. "We just want him to know we're thinking of him in case he watches on television. We've always known him as a fighter and a battler. He won't let this get him down for long. All his teammates from A&M think about him every day. "

A&M coach R.C. Slocum said Tuesday he wouldn't try to explain the NCAA's decision, "because I don't understand the reasoning behind it myself. We'll wear his number on a shirt underneath our jerseys right over the heart. I talked to Reggie's mom this morning and she thought it was a wonderful idea."

Slocum said Brown's mother "was encouraged that he has been standing up. I'm going to fly out and see him sometime after the Cotton Bowl is over."

After Brown was drafted by the Lions he would come back to workout on occasion at A&M where he played from 1992-95.

"All that money he made has never changed him," Nguyen said. "He wore the same old college sweats, not that new stuff he got in the NFL."

As for the game itself, Nguyen said the A&M defense will have to play its best game of the year to slow down the high-powered Bruins attack.

"Their offense is diversified," Nguyen said. "They can run it and they can throw it. It's a challenge for us. They bet Texas 66-3 and beat Houston 66-10. If they beat us they can win the Texas state championship."

Nguyen said the No. 20-ranked Aggies (9-3) have a lot to prove after losing 54-15 to Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game.

"I think we'll bounce back," Nguyen said. "Texas wasn't properly prepared for UCLA. I think we will be. Both teams have a lot to prove in this game. UCLA is still mad it didn't get an alliance bowl bid."

Tickets were selling slowly for the Cotton Bowl, sponsored by Southwestern Bell. Officials were hoping for a crowd of 60,000 for the 68,000-seat stadium.Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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