Minnetonka football star Theo Brown joins All Day

Well, it's state tourney time for Minnesota high school football teams here in Minnesota with the first round of quarterfinal games taking place tonight. Among those vying for a trip to the Prep Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minnetonka High School, a team whose standout wide receiver has been making headlines recently because he's not even out of middle school. Yep. That's right. Eighth grader Theodore Brown helped the team come back from a 21 and 0 deficit against Blaine Friday night by making catches like this one that you're going to see here. Just incredible athleticism on display there. And that helped the team advance to quarterfinals. Brown finished that game with eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Him and his mom Angela join us now. Theodore Brown, wow, you are making headlines right now. How does it feel to be compared to some greats that have come out of Minnesota, like Larry Fitzgerald and Eric Decker? Obviously, it feels good, but still got to keep working because I'm not there yet. Those guys are awesome, and it's just amazing to be compared to some of the greats in the league right now. What is it like playing on a varsity football team with seniors in high school when you're only in eighth grade? I mean, these guys are bigger than you, they're older than you. And I imagine when they hit you, it hurts. Yeah, there was one play against Blaine and I really felt that one. Playing with this group of guys, it's super easy because they're all amazing, they're super nice, they welcome me very easily and I've looked up to them my whole life so I know a bunch of them. And it's just a great group of guys. Yeah, your mom told me that your sister is actually a senior at the high school. So you grew up with a lot of these guys, they're her friends. So you were always like their little brother. So it made the transition to the varsity squad easy. Yeah. But are you ever intimidated or scared when you're out there with these big guys? I would probably say the first game. After the first snap, it comes to a flow, and I get settled in. But usually when I see a huge O-line, D-line chasing after me, I get the adrenaline pumping, so I want to run away. It's, it's a challenge. Yeah. Angela, I saw you turn and look at him to see what he said when I asked that question. So I want to ask you, I mean, when the coaches came to you and said, hey, we want to elevate Theodore to the varsity team. Did you have any hesitation? I did, but I left it up to Coach Ash and making sure that he knew what was right for Theodore. And he just said, we'll make sure that he is right, if he's not, we won't play him. But if he is, he'll be on the field. And Theo, when did you start playing football? I know you are quite an athlete, you're a multi-sport athlete, but when did you start playing football? And when did it become clear that maybe you were onto something with this sport? I think I started probably first grade flag football with my dad and ever since then I started to play one year up because I was going to be a black striper and I couldn't catch the ball. So I wanted to make plays and catch the ball. So I had to get moved up. So like at that point I just thought I could really go far in football. So what's it like now when your buddies in eighth grade want to play a game of pickup? Obviously they want me on the team, Team, um... but I would probably just settle for all time QB. So it's like even. Okay, okay, that's fair. You're also a standout basketball player. I know your dad actually played for Kansas, downtown Terry Brown back in the 90s. So your family really is rooted He was recruited in basketball. Talk to us about crossing over into football and and how you use your talents in basketball to help with your football game. Well, obviously the physical traits crossover really well because you have to have a big body in football and basketball. But it's the competition wise and the physical. Well, obviously football is more rough and basketball would be like a little bit weaker, but it's the crossover is pretty. pretty easy. Has your dad given you any advice as a former D one collegiate basketball star? Yes, of course. Me and him train every summer and that's my main trainer. Love him. And he just works with me every every day in the summer and just get better at each sport. Um, mom, how do you keep him level headed? You know, he's in eighth grade. He's already playing on the varsity football team. He's headed to the state tournament tonight. So how do you how do you keep him humble? Well, I try to make sure that his room is clean. And last week he was doing leaves. So he definitely makes sure that we do the normal things in life. But the other thing too is grades. He has to keep up his grades in order for him to play. I'm big on that because you can't take your Education away, but you sure could get hurt. So making sure that he understands the importance of keeping up his grades and staying close with his buddies in eighth grade, making sure that they're always around as well to keep him on the straight and narrow. Okay, and Travis and Jason Kelsey brought up your name. On the New Heights podcast, this is one of the biggest podcasts in the world. They are superstars. Obviously, Travis Kelsey is married to Taylor Swift. Both NFL players, one retired, one still playing. What was that like? I was shocked. I've been a KC fan my whole life. And seeing the people that I looked up to my whole life, knowing my name, I was just in shock and I was lost for words. It was amazing. Well, Theodore Brown, I have a feeling this isn't the last time we're gonna talk to you. You seem to already be having quite a bit of success. We sure wish you luck tonight in your quarter final game against Lakeville South. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Okay, Minnetonka, like I said, plays tonight. And then if they win, they will advance to the semifinal round at US Bank Stadium against whoever wins the Pryor Lake Rosemont game. Angela and Theo Brown, thanks for coming on the show. Thank you for having us.