Sam Brown
I'll never forget Sam Brown.
I was a young-pup sports anchor when I arrived here in 1990, and Sam was the main anchor at WATE 6. Back then, it was 6 Eyewitness News and Sam, along with co-anchor Ann Rollins, made this Knoxville newcomer feel comfortable and welcome. Just like they did with viewers.
I didn't work with Sam long-- but I quickly came to realize how popular he was.
I had just completed my first season of covering Tennessee football, and the Vols had won the SEC title under Johnny Majors. Tennessee received the SEC's invitation to play in the Sugar Bowl, and Sam and I were scheduled to co-anchor news coverage and a special from New Orleans.
Back then, WATE 6 had a helicopter-- and we'd often use it to travel to games. We actually flew to Memphis and South Bend in it.
The plan was for Sam and I to be flown to New Orleans, but the flight never happened. Knoxville was socked-in with miserable weather for five days, and the chopper couldn't fly. I'm not sure why we didn't go commerical, but our photographer crews were already there-- providing coverage-- so Sam and I decided to drive.
Actually, Sam drove. The whole way. Fast.
I gained new respect for a guy that was often perceived as "buttoned-down." Sam had starched collars, but on this trip at least, he also had a lead-foot! Knoxville, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Meridian, Hattiesburg-- all blew by. We made it to New Orleans in record time, arriving at our satellite truck minutes before our 11pm newscast.
I'm sure the viewers thought we were there all day.
While I was there to cover the Vols, Sam was doing stories on UT fans-- and there were plenty of them down there. One night in the French Quarter-- Sam was walking near Bourbon Street, and someone recognized him-- Vol fans erupted in "Sam Brown" cheers and chants.
And yes, Sam loved it.
But make no mistake. Sam was a well-educated, serious journalist. He cared about his stories, and made Oak Ridge a focal point of his investigative work. He was proud of the awards he won.
I've seen Sam a few times since those days-- mostly at UT football games. We shared a press box meal a few years back. I am sorry I didn't take more time to visit with him on other occasions.
I really am.
