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Bombers nose tackle Doug Brown (97), in an earlier game, is about to do to Ticats quarterback Kevin Glenn something he hopes to do a lot tomorrow.

Crystal Gayle may have sang 'Don't it make my brown eyes blue,' but Doug Brown lived it.

Brown might walk away from a brilliant CFL career without a Grey Cup to his name but for the Blue Bombers defensive tackle it's Winnipeg or bust when it comes to a championship.

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Doug Brown

"I'd feel like a mercenary. Like a soldier for hire," said Brown, when asked Friday why he hadn't left the Blue Bombers to chase a ring at some point during his career. "I've got so many ties that bind me to this community. I'd feel like I was selling out if I left. I've got so much invested here. If I can't do it here, I don't want to do it anywhere else."

Don't think Brown hasn't had his chances to leave. He's been the best Canadian player at his position for over a decade and some might say the best non-import player in the game over that period.

Brown is a throwback. A one-franchise player and one-town guy. He's Winnipeg's now and forever.

For certain, big 97 is going straight to the CFL Hall of Fame. A seven-time CFL all-star, an eight-time division all-star, winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2001, East Division MOC three times and the East Division's Most Outstanding Player in 2008, the case for Brown is open and shut.

Still, the ring is the thing and while others have tried to turn his head, Brown has stayed loyal to Winnipeg.

"I've been close to winning a couple times. It hasn't been a perennial thing like they had in Montreal. Bryan Chiu (Als centre) used to always say, 'come play in Montreal.' There were always rumblings about opportunities elsewhere but there's just always been something about playing here that fit me," said Brown. "They never gave me a reason to leave and always treated me fairly when it came to contracts. I never made it to free agency but I was always happy to stay here. The fabric of this football team is embedded in the supporters of our football team. And there's something about playing in a community where the mood of the people is affected by the success or failure of its football team."

Brown should have won at least a single Grey Cup in his 11-year career with the Bombers, but losses in 2001 and 2007 have left him empty-handed. On Sunday he'll fight for the chance to reach the national title game one last time.

A win against the Tiger-Cats and he'll extend his career for one more week, while a loss will see him check out as another of those superstars that did everything but finish a season as champion.

It's become commonplace for superstars to chase a title late in their careers at the cost of loyalty.

Brown, however, and his allegiance to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers isn't a marriage of convenience. He's been True Blue through thick and thin and when he leaves the playing field forever, he won't have thrown his franchise over for a hotter model at the final moment.

"Where could it be more rewarding or be a bigger deal than to win a Grey Cup here after the drought we've been through?" said Brown. "If you want to chase a championship, guys should be clamouring to get on this team. Sure, if Montreal had won this year for a third year in a row it would have been a big deal but it wouldn't compare to what would happen here if we're able to end a 21-year drought."

Doug Brown is leaving the game but he isn't leaving Winnipeg. No surprise there, he's just not a cut and run kind of guy.

Make sure you let Brown know what that counts for on Sunday and treat him like he's one of us. Because that's exactly what he's made himself.

A CFL legend, sure. But a Blue Bombers and Winnipeg legend first. And that's fine with him. In fact, it's just the way he wanted it.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 19, 2011 C2