Thu Sep 25 12:08:44 2008

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Patriots' all-time leading receiver Brown retires

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Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - Troy Brown, the all-time leading receiver in New England Patriots history, announced his retirement on Thursday.

Brown, 37, was not offered a contract by the Patriots this season, and did not catch on with another team. The 15-year veteran spent most of the 2007 season on the physically unable to perform list.

New England's all-time leader in receptions with 557, punt returns with 252, and punt return yardage with 2,625, Brown spent his entire career with the Patriots. Selected in the eighth round out of Marshall in the 1993 draft, Brown's career spanned five appearances in the Super Bowl -- the first under head coach Bill Parcells, the last four with Bill Belichick at the helm -- and three championships.

In addition to his Patriots franchise marks as a receiver -- Brown holds the single-game record for catches (16), held the single-season mark for receptions (101) until Wes Welker had 112 last season, and is second on the all-time list for receiving yards with 6,366 -- Brown was known for his versatility.

With the Patriots defensive backfield limited by injuries, Brown played both ways in 2004, recording three interceptions and 17 tackles. He is the only player in New England franchise history to have a reception and an interception in the same game, accomplished on November 14, 2004 against the Buffalo Bills.

Brown earned his only career Pro Bowl selection in 2001 when he tallied 1,199 receiving yards on 101 catches during New England's first championship season, capped by a 20-17 upset win over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI.