Overview

Jason Brown, born on May 5, 1983, is a former American professional football center who made a significant impact in the NFL before transitioning to a career as a farmer. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of North Carolina, where he earned First-team All-ACC honors in 2004. In 2009, Brown signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the St. Louis Rams, becoming the highest-paid center in the league at the time. In a surprising turn, Brown retired from the NFL in 2012 at the age of 29, despite having offers from other teams. He chose to pursue a life of service by establishing First Fruits Farm, a 1,000-acre farm in Louisburg, North Carolina. With no prior farming experience, he learned through online resources and dedicated himself to growing crops, primarily sweet potatoes and other vegetables, to donate to local food pantries. Brown’s efforts have resulted in the donation of hundreds of thousands of pounds of produce to those in need, showcasing his commitment to combating food insecurity and helping the less fortunate. He also manages a special events venue called Amazing Graze Barn located on his farm.

First Fruits Farm

Owner/Farmer

What Is Jason Brown’s Net Worth?

Jason Brown, an American retired professional football player, has an estimated net worth of $9 million. This wealth primarily stems from his NFL career, although he has since transitioned to a career in farming.

Early Life and Football Career

Jason Brown was born in Henderson, North Carolina, in May 1983. He excelled in both football and track and field at Northern Vance High School, where he was also a member of the National Honor Society. In track and field, he secured three state championships in discus and one in shot put, demonstrating his athletic versatility early on. Brown continued his football career at the University of North Carolina, initially playing as a tackle and guard before settling into the center position. His performance earned him First-team All-ACC honors in 2004, marking a significant milestone in his college career. Brown did not miss a single game during his college career.

NFL Career and Contract Details

Brown’s professional football journey began when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played for the Ravens from 2005 to 2008. On July 31, 2005, Brown signed a 3-year contract with Baltimore worth $1.2345 million. His career took a significant turn in 2009 when he signed a five-year contract with the St. Louis Rams worth $37.5 million, with $20 million guaranteed. This contract made him the highest-paid center in the NFL at the time. However, Brown’s time with the Rams was cut short, and he was released in 2012. Despite the lucrative contract, Brown walked away from a significant portion of it when he retired from football. He earned about $25 million of that contract and decided to leave the final year’s $12.5 million on the table.

Transition to Farming

In a surprising career move, Jason Brown retired from football in 2012 at the age of 29 to become a farmer in Louisburg, North Carolina. He maintains a 1,000-acre farm called First Fruits Farm, where he grows produce such as sweet potatoes and cucumbers. Brown began learning about farming practices in 2012 by watching YouTube videos. He donates these crops to local food pantries. By March 2025, he had donated more than 1.5 million pounds of produce from his farm to food banks and communities. In one fall season alone, he distributed 46,000 pounds of sweet potatoes and 10,000 pounds of cucumbers. Brown also owns and manages a special events venue called Amazing Graze Barn, which is located on the grounds of First Fruits Farm.

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