If it wasn't for an expired passport, Matt Brown might not have been able to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The former Temple running back and 2012 Big East special teams player of the year announced recently that he would play professionally with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was set to head to Saskatchewan this week to sign his contract and make it official when he was informed that his passport had expired.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, one day after his passport was denied at the airport, Brown was in Philadelphia getting new documents when he got a call from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As it turns out, the Bucs were interested in taking a chance on the 5-foot-5, 165 pound speedster. Because Brown had never actually signed a contract with the Roughriders, he was able to join the Bucs instead.
Some luck, huh?
The NFL average is the $750,000 range, although as an undrafted free agent, Brown's price is probably much less. But it still figures to be better than he was offered in the CFL where the average salary is less than $100,000.
Brown averaged 25 yards on kickoff returns at Temple, recording 2,068 total yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 2,647 career yards and 23 touchdowns on 466 carries.
(H/T to Deadspin)
