Tim Brown Will Retire as a Raider

Tim Brown will end his prolific NFL career with the Oakland Raiders after all.

“Tim will sign a one-day contract and retire as a Raider,” team spokesman Mike Taylor said Wednesday.

A news conference is planned for this month to recognize Brown, the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner and longest-tenured player in franchise history.

Brown was released in August when he refused to accept a greatly diminished role in Coach Norv Turner’s offense. He signed with Tampa Bay to play what turned out to be his last season with former Raider coach Jon Gruden.

Brown, who turns 39 on July 22, played the first 16 of his 17 seasons with the Raiders. He was the last member of the Los Angeles Raiders in the league.

Brown is tied for third with Steve Largent on the career receiving touchdown list with 100 and second all-time behind Jerry Rice for career receiving yards with 14,934. His 1,094 career catches rank third.

In his final season with Oakland, he had 52 catches for 567 yards and two touchdowns. Brown also helped the Raiders reach their first Super Bowl in 19 years after the 2002 season.

Last year with the Buccaneers, he had 24 catches for 200 yards and one touchdown.