Mack Brown reflects on loss of younger brother, Mel Brown

University of North Carolina head coach Mack Brown spoke on ESPN about the loss of his younger brother Mel Brown. Mel Brown passed away at the age of 66 on Saturday morning following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mack Brown on the loss of Mel

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Sadly, we lost my younger brother Mel last week. He had not been well for some time, and while we’ll miss him dearly, we know he is in a better place.

Love you, brother. Rest easy.

💙🙏💙 pic.twitter.com/co0XiYAqmz

— Mack Brown (@CoachMackBrown) August 31, 2021

In a heartfelt message shared via his Twitter account on Tuesday, Mack Brown shared that his family had lost his brother Mel.

“It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Sadly, we lost my younger brother Mel last week. He had not been well for some time, and while we’ll miss him dearly, we know he is in a better place. Love you, brother. Rest easy.”

In a video interview with ESPN, Brown was asked about his memories of his late brother.

“He was such a good person,” Brown said. “He’s tougher than I am, he’s nicer than I am. He’s a great father. He’s a tremendous husband, really good brother and friend. He came to so many of our games and never missed a bowl game and I just love him to death. And, I’m going to miss him.”

Along with their brother, Watson Brown, all three of the Brown brothers played football for Putnam County. Mel and Watson were star quarterbacks for the Cavaliers. Mack was a running back and was named The Tennessean’s Player of the Year as a senior.

Mel Brown’s Obituary

Mel Brown’s obituary was shared via the Hooper, Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home:

“Melvin E. Brown, age 66 of Cookeville, passed away peacefully Saturday morning August 28, 2021 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 13, 1954, in Cookeville to both the late Melvin L. Brown and Katherine Watson Brown. Mel graduated from Putnam County Senior High in 1973. He and his family shared a love of sports, especially Cavalier football which he continued to support as a leading member of the alumni association. He was a key member of the committee which named the Cavalier stadium after his grandfather Eddie Watson in 1995. After high school, Mel graduated from Florida State University. Mel spent the majority of his career as a sales executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield prior to his retirement in 2011.”

“Mel was particularly proud of his family. Family time made him happiest, especially lunch dates with his wife, supporting his daughters’ pursuits, golf outings with his mother, and spending time with his three grandchildren.”

“His family includes his wife of 40 years, Reggie Brown, whom he married on March 31,1981, in Cookeville; two daughters, Carrie (Cameron) Brown-Jones of Cookeville, Catie (Ian) Bland of West Palm Beach, FL; two brothers, Watson (Brenda) Brown of Cookeville, Mack (Sally) Brown of Chapel Hill, NC; and three grandchildren, Connor Melvin Jones, Lincoln Michael Bland, and Adalynn Katherine Bland.”

“In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Eddie ‘Jelly’ Watson and Mary Ellen Watson. The family is planning a private family memorial service at a later date.”