Chase Brown Bio
Chase Brown is a Canadian professional football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 21, 2000, in London, Ontario, he rose to national attention at the University of Illinois before being selected by Cincinnati in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He is the identical twin brother of Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown.
Early Life and Background
Chase Brown was born in 2000 and raised in London, Ontario, Canada. He originally attended London South Collegiate Institute alongside his identical twin, Sydney Brown, where the two played football before relocating from Canada to Florida as juniors in high school. The twins then attended Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton, Florida, where Chase set the school’s career rushing record, although he received a modest three-star rating from 247Sports.
Brown grew up in a tight-knit household shaped by his close bond with his twin brother. Their early football experiences in Canada and later in Florida helped lay the foundation for two Division I careers. The family supported the twins as they pursued their shared athletic ambitions south of the border.
Path to American Football
In October 2017, Brown verbally committed to play college football at Western Michigan University. As a freshman, he played for the 2018 Western Michigan Broncos football team and rushed for 352 yards on 71 carries, averaging five yards per carry, while also returning 12 kickoffs for 227 yards. In early 2019, he entered the NCAA transfer portal alongside freshman receiver Jayden Reed, opening the door to a new opportunity.
Brown transferred to Illinois in 2019 to join Sydney, who was already a defensive back for the Illini. Sydney said, “This is what we dreamt about as kids. Having him come here has been like having a piece of home here in Illinois.” Brown’s application for immediate eligibility was initially denied but was granted on appeal in mid-October 2019. After appearing in four games during the 2019 season, he redshirted and retained the year of eligibility, finishing with 18 rushing yards on three carries.
Chase Brown Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Brown’s development began in earnest at Western Michigan in 2018, where he balanced rushing and kickoff duties as a freshman. His transfer to Illinois marked the start of a steady rise through the college ranks. During the COVID shutdown, he and Sydney returned to Canada and stayed with their grandmother, converting the garage into a gym to maintain their training.
Brown returned to Illinois in the fall and appeared in all eight games for the Illini. On November 14, 2020, he posted his first 100-yard game against Rutgers with 134 rushing yards. One week later, he rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Nebraska, finishing the season with 540 rushing yards on 104 carries, a 5.2 yards-per-carry average, and the Fans Choice Canadian NCAA Player of the Year honor.
Illinois Breakthrough (2021–2022)
With eligibility unaffected by 2020, Brown remained classified as a sophomore in 2021. On October 2, 2021, he rushed for a career-high 257 yards against Charlotte, the fourth-highest single-game rushing total in Illinois history. Three weeks later, he rushed for 229 yards in the Illini’s NCAA-record nine-overtime victory over No. 7 Penn State, and his 223 yards was the most ever tallied by an opposing player at Beaver Stadium. He finished 2021 with 1,005 rushing yards on 170 carries, averaging 100.5 rushing yards per game to rank second in the Big Ten Conference, earned two Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards, and received third-team All-Big Ten honors.
In the 2022 season opener against Wyoming, Brown rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Against Indiana on September 2, he rushed for 199 yards and became the first winner of the Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week award. He then rushed over 100 yards in each of the next five games, pushing past 1,000 yards against Minnesota and becoming the third Illinois player to rush for over 1,000 yards in consecutive years. He finished second nationally with 1,643 rushing yards, earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition, and won the 2022 Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian player in NCAA football.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2023–Present)
Brown was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round, 163rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft and was also drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 CFL draft by the Montreal Alouettes. He was placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2023, with a hamstring injury, and was reactivated on November 25. In Week 14 against the Indianapolis Colts, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 54-yard pass from Jake Browning and finished with 105 total yards on three catches and eight carries.
Brown began the 2024 season as the second running back on the depth chart behind Zack Moss and as the team’s starting kickoff returner. In Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers, he had a breakout game with 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He made his first career start against the New York Giants in Week 6, finishing with 10 carries for 53 yards and the game-winning touchdown. After Moss suffered a season-ending neck injury, Brown was named the starter for the remainder of the season. His lone 100-yard rushing performance came in the Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders with 120 rushing yards, 37 receiving yards, and a touchdown. He finished 2024 with 990 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and 12 combined touchdowns.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brown is a compact, decisive back at about 5 feet 10 and 209 pounds, combining acceleration through the hole with reliable hands in the passing game. He has shown growth as a pass catcher and kickoff returner, giving his coaching staff flexibility in situational packages. His development into a featured back in his second season reflected improved vision, contact balance, and durability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signature moments include his 257-yard rushing performance against Charlotte in 2021, his 229-yard effort in the nine-overtime win at Penn State, and his first NFL touchdown on a 54-yard reception from Jake Browning. In 2024, he posted his first 100-yard rushing game against the Raiders and delivered the game-winning touchdown against the Giants.
Chase Brown Career Wins
Chase Brown’s career has been highlighted by a Jon Cornish Trophy in 2022, All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and 2022, and steady growth into a starting NFL role with the Cincinnati Bengals. Below is a summary of his most notable achievements and statistical milestones.
NCAA and NFL Highlights
At Illinois, Brown surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in both 2021 and 2022 and finished second nationally in 2022 with 1,643 rushing yards. In the NFL, he posted his first career 100-yard rushing game in Week 9 of 2024 and finished the season with 990 rushing yards and 12 combined touchdowns.
Other Performances
As a freshman at Western Michigan in 2018, Brown contributed 352 rushing yards and 227 kickoff return yards. He also added 360 receiving yards during his 2024 NFL campaign, showcasing his value as a three-down back.
Chase Brown Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Chase Brown is the identical twin brother of Sydney Brown, a safety for the Philadelphia Eagles. The twins grew up in London, Ontario, and both attended Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton, Florida, before playing together at the University of Illinois. Their shared football journey has been a defining feature of Chase’s personal story.
Personal Life
Chase Brown continues to pursue his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, with his twin brother Sydney playing in the league as well. The brothers have spoken often about the support they provide each other, and Chase has credited Sydney as a steady presence throughout his football journey.
2025 Season Performance
Chase Brown enters the 2025 NFL season as the established lead running back for the Cincinnati Bengals after a strong 2024 campaign in which he recorded 990 rushing yards, 360 receiving yards, and 12 combined touchdowns. The Bengals’ offensive staff is expected to build around his versatility as both a rusher and a pass catcher, especially in tandem with quarterback Joe Burrow. His 2024 production positioned him as a central piece of Cincinnati’s ground game plans.
Brown will look to build on his Week 9 breakout against the Las Vegas Raiders and his first career 100-yard rushing performance as a baseline for higher consistency. Staying healthy after a hamstring injury in 2023 and an ankle injury late in 2024 will be a key storyline, as he seeks to play a full 17-game slate. The Bengals’ playoff outlook may depend in part on his ability to maintain efficiency in the red zone and on early-down carries.
With his twin brother Sydney starring on the Philadelphia Eagles, Chase remains focused on establishing himself as one of the premier Canadian running backs in the NFL. His combination of explosiveness, pass-catching skill, and special teams experience gives Cincinnati a flexible weapon heading into 2025.