Charlie Brown Discusses His Past Health After Retiring from NFL

Former NFL Wide Receiver Charlie Brown joined Jeff Thurn on Wednesday's edition of  Overtime on ESPN 99.1.

Brown played six years in the NFL for Washington and Atlanta. He caught 220 receptions for 3,548 yards, and 25 touchdowns.

Brown on preparing for the Super Bowl when he played:

"We only had one week. We played the NFC Championship game, and then, the next week was the Super Bowl. We didn't have a lot of time for preparation. So, we basically did everything on the run. We stuck to our usual every week game planning, but we had to squeeze in getting all the tickets in for our families and friends and then had to concentrate on the game."

Brown discusses player's safety and health, and how the game has changed from when he played in the NFL for the Redskins and Falcons.

"I think the awareness is a whole lot better. Back then, we didn't even know what concussions were. You get banged up, asked to count to ten, or what's your name counted backwards. But then you were right back in there, and you would have headaches. I think it's so much of an advancement right now, especially with what the NFL is doing. Keeping guys out, having them go through concussion tests. With past, I was having major problems. I had a regular job, I was an educator, a school teacher, and coaching football in Savannah, Georgia. It got so bad, I had to retire and quit my job. One day, I came home and could not remember my sister-in-law's name. I found myself as soon as I got home, I would go to bed. I wouldn't go out of the house at all. So, if I got in 5:30 or 6, I wouldn't leave house until 7. I did that for months and I would have these headaches that would be unbearable. I would have trouble remembering my kids names when they called role. I got in contact with Jennifer Smith and introduced her with a few doctors and it was team of doctors that specialized in certain areas because I had multiple problems. They dealt with and at first, I couldn't see light at the end of the tunnel, but now I can, and I am very happy. Now, I'm back coaching football, not teaching, but coaching football on a volunteer basis, which I love and keeps mind ticking and involved."

To hear more of Brown's interview with Thurn, listen below: