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Super Bowl LIX

His Season Once in Doubt, Hollywood Brown is Ready to Attack Super Bowl LIX

Brown spent much of the regular season rehabbing for this opportunity

It was about six months ago that Hollywood Brown's season appeared to end before it even began.

Brown, who seemed poised to take on a major role for Kansas City in 2024, suffered what Head Coach Andy Reid described as a sternoclavicular posterior dislocation on the first play from scrimmage in the Chiefs' preseason opener.

A unique shoulder injury, Brown was initially projected to miss at least the first few weeks of the season before a secondary diagnosis ruled the veteran wide receiver out indefinitely. In other words, just one snap into his tenure with the Chiefs, Brown's season was in serious doubt.

"I honestly didn't know what to think at first," Brown said. "I found out I had to get surgery, and I was just thinking that it was unfortunate that I was out for the season, but as I was rehabbing, I was responding really well. I realized I had a chance to come back, and I saw how excited it got the guys and my coaches. I think that pushed me even harder to come back as quickly as possible."

Indeed, Brown attacked his rehab as if he had the ball in his hands with the game on the line. He received clearance to return to practice in early December – nearly four months to the day removed from his injury – but a lofty challenge remained as Brown aimed to get up to speed in a short amount of time.

Fortunately, the dedicated offseason work for which the Chiefs have become synonymous came in handy. Specifically, the relationship formed between Brown and quarterback Patrick Mahomes back in May seemed to immediately pay dividends on the practice field upon his return.

"I feel like the time we spent together in the offseason [was really beneficial]," Brown said. "We built a good rapport with each other. So, coming back from injury, he trusted me based on the work we put in during the offseason."

That work was then put to the test in Week 16 against the Houston Texans, and while many expected a gradual return for Brown, Mahomes and the coaching staff had other ideas. In fact, Brown's first catch as a Chief – a 12-yard grab on fourth down – moved the chains and extended an eventual touchdown drive in what turned out to be a critical victory.

"After sitting and rehabbing [for so long], to go out there and make a catch on fourth down [was a great feeling]," Brown said. "I just thought to myself, 'OK, we're back.'"

Brown caught five passes for 45 yards on 20 snaps, and following the game, Mahomes acknowledged that Brown was on the verge of an even bigger day if only a few things had gone differently.

He then hauled in four catches for 46 yards just a few days later against Pittsburgh, and while he didn't have a catch against Houston in the Divisional Round, Brown tallied three receptions for 35 yards against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game the following week.

"Hollywood is coming off a good game, and he gives you another experienced receiver in there who has a lot of speed and ability," said Coach Reid. "He's done it before, and we're lucky to have him with us. He looked like he was on the same page with Patrick this past week."

Browns skillset is such that he can handle a variety of hats in the Chiefs' offense, from running deep routes down the sideline to executing quick crossing patterns that are essentially an extension of the running game. Additionally, his own numbers aside, Brown's presence has clearly opened up things for his teammates as well.

"You throw Hollywood in there, it kind of sets everybody perfectly in their roles," Mahomes said following the Chiefs' victory over the Steelers in December. "When you have that many weapons out there, it's hard for the defense to account for [everybody]. Hollywood has made a huge impact on this offense."

Mahomes felt confident in that statement just a few days into Brown's immersion within the passing game, and now four quarters away from making NFL history, Brown is well aware that the work he put in over the last several months – both on and off the field – has led him to the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I really appreciate everybody in the organization for just sticking by me through the whole process, knowing there was a chance I could come back," Brown said. "I feel like I'm made for this moment, and I'm just excited to show what I can do on a stage like this."

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