Pitt to honor former star offensive lineman Ruben Brown Thursday against UNC

The watchful eyes of a legend will oversee Pitt’s Thursday evening matchup against the University of North Carolina.

The University of Pittsburgh will honor former offensive lineman and 2015 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Ruben Brown at halftime against the Tar Heels. Brown played at Pitt from 1991-1994, earning three first team all-Big East selections and a first team All-American spot as a senior.

The Buffalo Bills selected him 14th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft, and merited eight consecutive Pro Bowl appearances as a guard from 1996-2003.

He earned his ninth trip to the Pro Bowl in 2006 as a member of the Chicago Bears, tying him with quarterback Dan Marino for the most Pro Bowl selections by a Pitt alum.

Brown will become the 24th Pitt football player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 8, joining the likes of Pitt stars like Marino, Tony Dorsett and Mike Ditka.

“We are thrilled to bring Ruben back to Pittsburgh and celebrate his well-deserved induction into the College Football Hall of Fame,” Pitt athletic director Scott Barnes said via a University release. “Ruben is an all-timer both as a player and as a person. It will be a truly special moment when he hears the cheers of Pitt fans once again this Thursday night.”

Brown will also serve as an honorary captain for the game, an appointment made by Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi.

“Ruben’s pride in the University of Pittsburgh is obvious,” Narduzzi said in the release. “He is a true Pitt Man and I know everyone is extremely proud of him.”

Thursday’s game against UNC kicks off at 7 p.m., and ESPN will air the game to a national audience.