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Georgia National Football Champ Dead at 65

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Former Georgia Football star Norris Brown, the starting tight end for the 1980 National Championship team, has died. He was 65.

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A South Carolina native, Brown played for the Bulldogs from 1979 to 1982. Georgia won the SEC Championship in three of his four seasons.

During the 1980 season, Georgia achieved a perfect season en route to the university's second championship pennant.

Brown caught 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns during Georgia's national championship season in 1980, helping the team finish with a 12-0 record. 

With the Bulldogs, Brown's teammates included one of the school's most famous alumni, Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker. NFL alumni Lindsay Scott, Ray Donaldson, Terry Hoage, Guy McIntyre, Freddie Gilbert, Clarence Kay and Scott Woerner were also members of the 1980 championship squad.

Following his collegiate career, Brown enjoyed a one-year stint in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. He appeared in two games in 1983 but did not record a catch.

Bulldogs quarterback Buck Belue expressed his condolences on social media.

"Heavy heart this weekend hearing about the passing of former UGA teammate TE Norris Brown," Belue 

One of his signature moments came against rival Auburn in the game that essentially sealed the SEC title, when Brown hauled in a touchdown that Georgia alumni remember fondly.

Former Georgia Star Remembers Norris Brown

"Norris Brown was smiling all the way home," Belue reflected on Brown's touchdown in the SEC-clinching game against Auburn in 1980. "RIP Norris Brown."

Belue called the game-winning play his favorite in-game memory and recalled Brown delivering in the clutch.

"Fav in-game memory w/ Norris Brown: Win at Auburn & we are 1980 SEC Champs. Final seconds of 1H, on Tigers 1 yard line, running clock, no time outs. I start screaming 'Clock Play' at LOS," Belue wrote.

Belue added, "Clock play is for stopping the clock. No time for that. Got to get a play off quick or time runs out. Must improvise: Norris Brown looks at me from his TE spot. I tell him, 'run a fade.'"

"Ball snapped with :01 on the clock. Norris Brown runs the fade from in-line TE alignment. He elevates above Auburn CB and makes the TD catch! The other nine players on offense are wondering how that just happened."

"We take 17-7 lead to the locker room and go on to win, 31-21. Travel back to Athens SEC Champs. "Norris Brown was smiling all the way home. RIP Norris Brown."

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