Baltimore, on a scholarship to play for the Morgan State Bears football team under head coach Edward P. Hurt. He was selected as an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association player in both 1951 and 1952, and was a co-captain of the 1952 Morgan State team that compiled a 5–4 record.2012 Morgan State Media Guide, p. 94. In December 1952, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Courier as a first-team offensive tackle on its 1952 All-America team. The Courier cited Brown's ability to open holes for Morgan State's backs and quoted Morgan State coach Hurt saying, "It is my considered opinion that Roosevelt Brown is the best tackle developed at Morgan State in recent years. He has weight, speed and aggressiveness. If some pro team doesn't pick him, it will be missing a bet." Player for the New York Giants Signing and rookie season In January 1953, the New York Giants selected Brown in the 27th round (322nd overall pick) of the 1953 NFL Draft. The Giants drafted Brown after seeing him featured in the Pittsburgh Courier'''s All-American team. Brown signed a one-year contract for $3,500 on March 25, 1953. Having been picked as the 321st player in the draft, he is considered "one of the biggest steals in draft history." As a rookie, Brown appeared in all 12 games for a Giants team that compiled a 3–9 record during the 1953 season. In October 1953, sports writer Earl Wright wrote of Brown: "He is built like a museum statue – slender hips and broad shoulders. But he is no statue on the field. He surprised the Giants by outrunning Arnie Weinmeister, New York's fleet defensive tackle, in windsprints." Brown also gained attention as a rookie for his style, wearing "fancy street clothing" and regularly sporting a mustache, derby hat and umbrella. 1954 and 1955 seasons Brown again started all 12 games for the 1954 and 1955 Giants teams that compiled records of 7–5 and 6–5–1. The Giants teams during these years was overwhelmingly white, and Brown spent most of his time with Emlen Tunnell, the other African-American starter on the team. The two were roommates in New York. On the road, team owner Wellington Mara arranged for the two to stay in private homes with black families rather than staying in the hotels with the white players. Brown later recalled this as a benefit during segregation: [W]e loved it! Hell, we