Redskins' Brown Winds Down an Amazing Career 'One Play at a Time'

Washington's Ray Brown, 43, will retire as the oldest lineman to appear in a playoff game. (By John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post)

The young men in Philadelphia jerseys across the line from Redskins right guard Ray Brown last Sunday were 17 years his junior. Brown is 43. He's the oldest lineman in the NFL. And he's been in the Redskins' starting lineup since Randy Thomas broke his ankle three weeks ago. Yesterday, he became the oldest lineman ever to appear in a playoff game, according to the NFL.

Athletes in most team sports hit their peak between 24 and 30 and by their late 30s their careers are generally over. Age and injuries take their natural toll, as well as the fact younger players come cheaper.

Of course, there are notable exceptions in all sports, such Roger Clemens having an all-star season at 43 last year, going 13-8 for the Houston Astros and earning about $18 million. Julio Franco, 47, just signed with the Mets and Preki was 42 when he just retired from Kansas City of MLS. George Blanda kicked for the Oakland Raiders until he was 48. Darrell Green played cornerback for 20 seasons for the Redskins -- retiring three years ago at 41. The great Jerry Rice retired last fall at 43 after trying to earn a job with the Denver Broncos.

And let's not forget Michael Jordan, who after being retired for three years, bounded out of the Wizards' front office to average 21 points a game in two exciting Washington seasons that filled arenas throughout the NBA. He was 40 when he played his last game.

"Most pro ball players love the game," said Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld. "If they can get a contract, they'll play." Bobby Beathard, the former GM of the Redskins and Chargers, once said NFL players no longer retire because the money has become so great.

Olie Kolzig, 35, is the Capitals goalie -- the team's elder statesman, a onetime all-star and previous winner of the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best net-minder. Kolzig, one of many goalies who have had lengthy careers, is the stabilizing force in a locker room filled with twenty-somethings in last place in the Eastern Conference.

"The key to longevity in sports is staying in optimal physical condition," Kolzig said after Wednesday's morning skate at MCI Center prior to facing the Ottawa Senators, who also have a veteran goalie, 40-year-old Dominik Hasek. "When you get older, you learn to take the ups and downs from winning and losing better; avoid the slumps. But I still get butterflies before every game. I enjoy it all," Kolzig added.

And how much longer for Olie the Goalie?

"A couple of more years until I start talking with my family about it," he said, pointing out that despite the Caps' losing record, "We're competing in just about every game and are further along than most expected."

"You know you're in trouble when they start comparing you to yourself," said Gene Upshaw, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association. "Like, 'Upshaw isn't playing like the Upshaw of old.' " Upshaw, 60, a Hall of Fame guard for the Raiders, quit at 36 in 1981 after 15 years in the league.

Last Sunday in Philadelphia, Brown, a VP in the players association, was beaming, buttoning his shirt with his massive hands in the locker room after a second solid game in what he promises will be his last season in the NFL. He's the third-oldest player behind Philadelphia punter Sean Landeta (11 months Brown's senior) and New England drop-kicker and backup QB Doug Flutie (two months older than Brown).

"I'm blessed," said the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Brown. "Over the years I've lifted weights, taken care of my body and watched a lot of film."

Brown's career reads like a road atlas: Two years in St. Louis, one in Phoenix, seven in Washington (1989-1995), six in San Francisco, two in Detroit before returning to the Redskins in 2004 for a final jog. "What a guy," Joe Gibbs said. Houston VP and GM Charley Casserly, who signed Brown for the Redskins in 1989, called Brown "phenomenal" for what he's accomplished.

"At my age, I'm pretty cautious in how I play," he said, adding with a grin, "for me, it's one play at a time."

My friend Ray Schoenke, who played guard for the Redskins from 1966 to 1975, retired at 35 when, he said, "my spine and brain began vibrating on every play." Schoenke, 64, remembered that he'd get "his share" of holding penalties early in his career but when he got older "the officials would come by before games and check to see if my arm pads were legal and wink. During games they'd wink at me some more but not penalize me. I knew them all and they felt sorry for me."

But who wouldn't want to be Ray Brown this weekend? Husband and father of five, still "playing for that first Super Bowl ring and, at my age, isn't that something?" he asked. Yesterday in Tampa, the Redskins advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 17-10 victory over the Buccaneers. Ray Brown lives.

Touching the Bases:

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Bob's Musings: Bob DuPuy, president of Major League Baseball, wrote an opinion piece that appeared in Tuesday's Post, laying out MLB's position in the stadium debate. He pointed out that "the city has missed three important deadlines it committed to as part of an agreement that bought the Expos to Washington. It failed to sign a lease, take control of a buildable site or secure funding, all of which it was obligated to do by Dec. 31, 2005."

What puzzles me is the lack of responsibility among council members for failing to honor an agreement and MLB filing for arbitration like some rag-armed pitcher. And didn't council member Marion Barry recently call the stadium deal a "holdup" of the city by MLB? Marion: You're having a bad run; it may be time for Del Boca Vista.

Wizardry Missing: It's official, the magic from last year's playoff run is over. The Wizards have become easy pickings for teams looking to stop a losing streak, as Houston, loser of five straight, did Tuesday night. "We want to tighten up on the defensive end and make some plays down the stretch," said Grunfeld, who added "correcting small mistakes" and doing well this month are important.

Here's another point: The Wizards have been dreadful on defense. Somebody needs to fix that.

Film item: Boobie Miles (Derek Luke), star running back for Permian (Tex.) High School whose career was ended by a knee injury in "Friday Night Lights," returns as a basketball star in the film "Glory Road" about Texas Western's run to the 1966 NCAA basketball title. What's next: Boobie stars as Feinstein in "Swim to Glory"?

Have a comment or question? Reach me at talkback@washpost.com.