From a garage gym in Canada to the NFL spotlight

History · Published 5 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before he was a star for the Cincinnati Bengals, Chase Brown was training in a converted garage in Ontario. The journey from a three-star recruit to a prolific 1,600-yard rusher is a masterclass in persistence and collegiate adaptation.

Born in 2000 and raised in London, Ontario, Chase Brown’s path to professional football was defined by significant transitions. After attending high school in Canada, he moved to Florida to attend Saint Stephen's Episcopal School, where he set the school's career rushing record. Despite this early success, he entered the collegiate ranks with a modest three-star rating from 247Sports.

Brown's college career saw him navigate the complexities of the transfer portal and eligibility appeals. After playing for the Western Michigan Broncos in 2018, he transferred to the University of Illinois in 2019. While his initial application for immediate eligibility was denied, an appeal granted him permission to play in mid-October 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown and his identical twin brother, Sydney Brown—a defensive back for the Fighting Illini—returned to Canada to train in their grandmother's garage.

His performance at Illinois eventually reached elite levels. In 2021, he recorded a career-high 257 yards against Charlotte and a 229-yard performance in a historic nine-overtime victory against Penn State. He secured the Jon Cornish Trophy for being the premier Canadian NCAA footballer after recording 10 touchdowns and 1,643 rushing yards during his 2022 campaign. This momentum carried him into the NFL, where he was selected 163rd overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 draft.

Since joining the Bengals, Brown has navigated the challenges of professional play, including injuries and depth chart shifts. After stepping into a starting role following Zack Moss's season-ending neck injury, he proved his capability by recording a 120-yard rushing performance against the Las Vegas Raiders. His career continues to evolve as he maintains his position as a key component of the Bengals' offense.

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