Naylor: The Brown brothers will make a dream come true in Sunday’s match

Chase and Sydney Brown did almost everything together during their lives.

From being born minutes apart, to being raised by a single mother in London, Ontario, to a football journey together that took them from local fields to the University of Illinois and all the way to the National Football League.

The only thing they have never done is play against each other in a game of football at any level, which will be the first time Sydney Philadelphia Eagles to visit Chase’s Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

For Chase, a running back who leads the Bengals in rushing yards, and Sidney, a safety who just returned last week from an ACL injury in January, it’s a big first.

“We’ve never played against each other, so it’s going to be interesting,” Chase said. “He’s living his dream in Philly, and I’m living my dream here. Everything kind of turns around and we compete for four quarters and see what happens.”

As important as Sunday’s game is for the Eagles and Bengals, it has a lot of added meaning for the Browns, who have dreamed of this moment since they were kids.

“When I got drafted (in 2023), I knew we were going to play the Bengals this year,” Sidney said. “It was one of the first things I looked at after my brother got drafted in Cincinnati.

“I’m excited… what an opportunity. Thinking about me and my brother when we were kids, then and now, when we could face each other on a professional football field, not at the top level. It’s going to be different … you look across the field and this guy I’ve been on my side my whole life is now the guy I have to go up against.”

The Browns grew up in modest affluence in London, eventually finishing their last two years of high school in Bradenton, Florida, before Chase transferred to Western Michigan University and Sidney went to Illinois.

Although they spent one year apart before Chase moved in with his brother in Champaign, Illinois, their respective teams never faced each other.

After the reunion at Illinois, head coach Bret Bielema quickly decided not to let them go head-to-head in practice because of the intensity they inflicted on each other when he did.

“It was a real thing,” Sydney recalled. “I mean, we’re used to it. There were times when we would go all out and it would turn into a UFC match in the backfield because we would go head-to-head and it would be me and him. I think Bielema realized early on that it probably wasn’t a good idea.”

As much competition as the Browns have with each other, it doesn’t compare to the mutual respect and closeness they share, something that has endured throughout their time in the NFL.

“This is my best friend,” Chase said. We talk every day to keep up, know each other’s lives and be present. Just try to keep it as normal as possible.”

However, it wasn’t easy to keep him on his toes this week as their conversations were short and managed to stay away from football.

“Conversations happen quickly,” Sydney said. “Like, ‘Yo, how’s your day?’ Boom. You know, sign up and move on.”

Sunday’s game comes at a time when both brothers are well aware of the direction of their young careers.

Chase, who was a veteran Joe MixonA primary backup during his rookie season, he went from splitting reps in the backfield with Zach Moss early in the season to getting most of the carries lately, leading the team with 327 yards. He also has 14 catches for 59 yards and four touchdowns – one through the air and three on the ground.

After waiting until the fifth round to hear his name called despite being the second-leading receiver in college football in 2022, Chase quickly earned the trust of his coaches and teammates.

“It didn’t surprise me at all,” Sydney said. “He deserves everything that is coming his way. People say, ‘Your brother is doing great,’ and I mean, man, if you saw how he worked this offseason and how he approached the whole process, you wouldn’t be surprised either. I am delighted with him.”

2023’s impressive rookie season for Sidney was cut short in the final game of the regular season last January when he suffered a torn ACL against the Giants.

He made his season debut last week, but insists he could have played from the start of the season if the team allowed him to. Instead, the Eagles staff held him back to protect him from himself.

“That dude crushed it,” Chase said. “That dude killed him, like he sure did. And to think he could be back for Week 1. Which one? … Eight months? It’s crazy.”

Sidney approached his rehab with the same attitude he had during his football journey, completely focused on his NFL dream: seeing every challenge as an opportunity and every setback as a means to overcome and get better.

There was never any doubt that he would be ready for this game, which the brothers would share with a group of family members and friends.

“It was always in the back of our minds,” Sydney said. “It’s always been something we’ve been drawn to, it’s always been something we’ve been motivated to do … and now it’s here.”