In the heat of training camp, Ike Brown takes a pause and reflects on what got him there.

The former Central Michigan linebacker takes a moment and then it’s back to the grind of playing professionally with the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons.

A knee surgery nearly ended his career before it started in 2006. It forced him to painfully sit and watch his teammates bring home CMU’s first Mid-American Conference Championship season since 1994. He rebounded in 2007, however, finishing second only to teammate Red Keith in total tackles.

The NFL Draft came and went, and Brown didn’t hear his name. But days later, on April 28, Brown signed his name on his first professional contract. He impressed in Falcon mini-camp, and now Brown is in the midst of his first training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga.

It’s been tough,” he said. “It’s been a little harder than I thought it would be mentally – it’s 10 times tougher than college from a mental standpoint.”

Brown is expecting to contribute primarily on special teams, and he looks forward to working his way up in the organization.

“I didn’t expect to go in and be thrown in with the first group,” he said. “Everybody has a role, and this year I’ve just got to play my role. Then next off-season is when I can fight for a better spot on the team.”

Brown makes his professional debut when the Falcons travel to Jacksonville Aug. 9 for their first preseason game.

“I’ve got a great chance to make the team through special teams,” he said. “As of right now, what I’ve been hearing, I’ll be one of the top special teams guys. So that’s going to be my way in, my way onto the team.”

The most difficult adjustment, Brown said, is the expectations that are placed on his shoulders on a daily basis.

“In the NFL, it’s a different story, you need to know everybody’s job,” he said. “That’s something that can help you out there on the field. Our playbook is three times larger than a college playbook. You’re held accountable more so in the NFL because it’s your job. If you come to work unprepared, that can be your last day of work.”

Brown still plans on attending several CMU games this season to watch his former teammates play, namely on Sept. 6 when the Chippewas visit the University of Georgia. The Lions play the Falcons the next day in Atlanta.

He resides in Buford, 10 minutes away from the Falcons facility. He said the days can be long, but it’s great to be doing what he loves for a living.

“Once I got into the mini-camp I saw that the NFL players were not what I thought they would be,” he said. “You always think of them way bigger and better than they really are. They’re human, everybody’s human.”

No other member from CMU’s 2007 team is currently on an NFL roster. Brown said Keith, also a linebacker, has the tools to make the league.

“He’s just waiting for somebody to call and bring him in to camp,” he said. “And I really believe somebody will because Red’s a great player. Any team in the NFL would be lucky to have him.”

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