Johnie Eldrege Brown

Houston and Texas rugby lost a giant last week with the passing of Johnie JB Brown. Brown died unexpected at the age of 58 and left a huge hole in the rugby community. Best known for his smile and quick embrace, JB was a legend as a player and coach. He was a star for the Houston Old Boys for almost 25 years - a scoring machine and a menace defensively. His ability to go the length of the pitch is still talked about in pubs across the Lone Star State. One can argue that his biggest impact to the game was not as a player, but as a coach and molder of young men. Johnie defined true character and helped instill it in his charges during a ten-year career with St. Thomas High School. He was a major factor in the Eagles rise to national prominence in 2007. From 2007-2009 the Eagles appeared in the State Championship three times (winning back to back titles in 2008 and 2009), three straight Western RFU Regional Championships, and three straight USA National High School finals. Johnie was the Head JV Coach at STH at the time of his death.JB will be sorely missed by family, friends, coaches, players, and the rugby community at large. He was a great man and his influence and spirit will live on through the lives of all the players he touched for some many years. Good bye Johnie - we love you and miss you!