Former Green Bay Packer Gilbert Brown: From Gravedigger to Guardian Angel
Known for His Iconic Celebration, Former Green Bay Packers Defender Gilbert Brown Now Tackles Fundraising Events to Help Children in Need
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Lori Severson
Gilbert Brown, the behemoth nose tackle with the Darth Vader-like visor for the Green Bay Packers from 1993–1999 and 2001–2003, played in 125 NFL games. In 1996, he started all 16 games, and Green Bay won Super Bowl XXXI. At 6 feet, 2 inches, and 345 pounds, human blockade #93 was nicknamed “The Gravedigger” for his celebratory shoveling stunt following a thunderous tackle. He hung up his Packers’ helmet for retirement but is still an unstoppable force.
As the founder of the Gilbert Brown Foundation, he has supported and donated to more than 150 Wisconsin-based youth organizations, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish, Western Wisconsin Wheels, Children’s Miracle Network, and Care Camps. Gilbert started the foundation in 2005, but it didn’t take off until years later. One of his biggest self-funded projects was a free football camp for intercity kids. “I was very proud of being able to feed and mentor kids for three days without them having to pay a dime. I could have never done this without the support of my family, friends, and coaches. It was a huge undertaking both monetarily and staffing wise, but we did it,” he said.
Photo Credit: Lori Severson
Since creating his namesake foundation, the former pro football player has made a positive difference in the lives of more than 150 children by providing the families of kids suffering various hardships with everything from gas cards to funding for life-changing surgeries to access to summer football camps.
He credits the success of the foundation to his marketing manager, Lori Severson, who set up a whirlwind schedule for summer and fall, hitting 17 Wisconsin campgrounds. Brown meets with campground guests, signs football memorabilia, does creative activities, and plays games—he believes it’s important to engage in fun ways when out raising money for kids. Some of the events include Gilbert’s other Green Bay football friends, such as Santana Dotson, Dorsey Levens, and LeRoy Butler.
Gilbert is very tight with his family, especially his parents, four siblings, and four kids, and “spends every minute of my free time, which I don’t have much of, with them.”
Gilbert recently partnered with the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners and Gross Motors to donate a car to Caden Dahl, a 16-year-old who was born with no right arm and a short left arm with two fingers. Said Gilbert, “It’s our fundraising events that help us generate the resources we need to make a difference in the lives of children who need help.”
Photo Credit: Lori Severson
RVM: Tell us about where you grew up.
Gilbert: Detroit, Michigan—love my Momma and Daddy. Momma is still my whole world. She keeps me grounded and focused. She was the one who taught me how to give back and the importance of making a difference in this world.
RVM: What’s one moment in the NFL that stands out?
Gilbert: Being able to play with [Pro Football Hall of Famer] Reggie White—helped me so much in my career—every game with him was special. I called him “Big Dog.” He was amazing, and I’ll always love him and be grateful for the time I got to spend with him. I know without him, I would not be the guy I am today, period. He never “told” me; he showed me. I learned early on I wanted to be like him on and off the field.
RVM: How did you come up with your Gravedigger dance?
Gilbert: Reggie White gave it the name—something that fits my personality. I wasn’t showing off, I was just letting off steam. And I fell on my butt the first time and heard my mom laughing over 60,000 people!
RVM: What inspired you to create the Gilbert Brown Foundation?
Gilbert: Momma raised us to help other people whenever we could. I started the foundation while I was playing, but it didn’t really take off until I worked with Lori … and her connection with WACO (Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners). She shared information from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism that one of the top reasons people visit Wisconsin is the Packers. If we teamed up, we could expand who we could help and work on the branding for WACO.
Some of the things that were important to us were creating an environment that was fun for the campers and allowing them to get to interact with a player. Something that is truly rare. We wanted to do everything with volunteers, and it’s rewarding knowing the money raised is not a portion of the money! All the campgrounds donate 100 percent of their time to make things happen. My sister, Carla, also holds the same passion for the foundation, and without her and Lori’s energy, we would not be where we are today.
The campgrounds do so much every single weekend to raise money and make dreams come true. Last year Great River Harbor, a long-term supporter, raised over $50,000!
Photo Credit: Lori Severson
RVM: Any camping experiences while growing up?
Gilbert: Never camped growing up. My first experience camping was a bit rocky—parking the big [Tiffin Class A] Allegro in the darkest campground spot in Wisconsin. I may have asked where the streetlights were, ha ha! But once I became acquainted with it, it became my mission to expose more people of color to camping. It’s not something that a lot of people where I come from understand. Once I took the kids and saw how much fun they had, I was hooked.
RVM: What are some of your hobbies and passions?
Gilbert: I have loads of cars, and I try to treat them all equally—you have to talk to them and treat them right so they start when you need them to! I do have a garage dedicated to my cars. My dad started my love of cars, but it’s truly a family tradition. All of us love our cars! I’m definitely a Mopar guy. I also collect comics and figurines.
RVM: You even had a burger named after you in northeast Wisconsin, where you were a regular at Burger King.
Gilbert: Yep, The Gilbertburger— Double Whopper with cheese with extra everything— lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup, and onions—but no pickles.
Brown co-hosts a weekly podcast with Earl Ingram, Under the Helmet with the Gravedigger. Live Mondays at 8 AM.
Photo Credit: Lori Severson
Meet Gilbert
For the remainder of this year, Gilbert Brown will be at these Wisconsin campgrounds to raise money for his namesake children’s foundation:
- September 15: 7–8 PM, Backyard Campground in Gratiot
- September 16–17: 12 PM, Backyard Campground in Gratiot
- October 6: 3–6 PM, Mississippi House Boat Cruise at Great River Harbor Campground & Marina, featuring more than 12 former Green Bay Packers
- October 7: Legends Weekend 10 AM.–8 PM, Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville, featuring more than 12 former Green Bay Packers
- October 14: 7 PM, Champions Riverside Resort in Galesville, “Gravedigger Slamathon” featuring WWE wrestling star Kurt Angle
