As soon as Ronnie Brown received word that he would be inducted into the Alabama Sport Hall of Fame, the former Auburn running back shared the good news with his friends, fans and followers.
"I am beyond thankful, grateful and blessed," Brown wrote Wednesday on Twitter. "Thank you to ALL who stood before me, stood beside in challenges and behind me in support. This is a TEAM achievement."
Brown produced a legendary career on the Plains from 2001-04, despite never attaining true RB1 status at Auburn.
"My first year I get there, Rudi [Johnson] is there, then we bring in Carnell [Williams]," said Brown, Auburn's SEC Football Legend in 2018. "For me not to really ever have the starting role at running back, I'm humbled by it, but at the same time I'm surprised. I'm excited about it as well because there was a lot of hard work that went into it, and I'm just fortunate to receive this honor."
Brown was a first-team All-SEC pick as a senior while helping Auburn to the 2004 SEC Championship and a perfect 13-0 season.
After earning All-SEC freshman honors in 2001, Brown rushed for 1,000 yards as a sophomore in 2002. He finished his career ranked in Auburn's top 10 in career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, receptions by a running back and receiving yards by a running back.
A team captain as a senior in 2004, Brown graduated from Auburn that same year. He was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted Auburn back since Bo Jackson went No. 1 in 1986. Brown played 10 years with five teams, including six with the Miami Dolphins and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2008.
A native of Cartersville, Georgia, Brown lives in Atlanta with his wife, Taylor, their son, Rhys, and daughter, Reagan. He serves as the sideline reporter for the Auburn Sports Network.
Brown will be inducted in Birmingham at the 52nd annual banquet on May 2, 2020, part of a class that includes former Auburn pitcher Q.V. Lowe.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
From the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: http://www.ashof.org/2019/12/04/ashof-announces-class-of-2020/