When Pharaoh Brown talks about freedom, his voice lightens. It’s not the kind of word you’d expect from a tight end who’s built a career on collisions and controlled chaos. But for the 31-year-old veteran, freedom is what drives him — whether that’s strapping on a helmet or taking off from a runway.
“It just feels like peace,” Brown said of piloting his own plane. “When you take off, you disconnect from the world. You’re controlling something completely, and it’s just freedom. That feeling — it’s a dream come true.”
After recently earning his pilot’s license, Brown found himself in a different kind of new environment — the Arizona Cardinals’ locker room. Signed to the practice squad on Oct. 15, the seven-year vet brought with him a reputation for physicality, toughness, and leadership. What he found in Arizona, he said, was structure and clarity.
The Cardinals terminated the contract today of TE Josiah Deguara. Possibility of TE Pharaoh Brown being signed from the practice squad. This is the final day that vested veterans will have contracts terminated. Starting tomorrow, they will also go through waivers when cut.
— Howard Balzer (@HBalzer721) November 5, 2025
“My first impression was that it was really well-run and well-organized,” Brown said. “They do a great job of taking care of the guys and installing the game plan through the week so everyone’s on the same page. It’s a smooth process, and you can tell there’s thought behind everything.”
That kind of professionalism matters to a player who’s seen the NFL from nearly every angle. Since entering the league in 2017, Brown has suited up for Cleveland, Houston, New England, Seattle, Miami — and now Arizona. He’s started more than 50 games and played in close to 90, carving out a career defined less by statistics and more by substance.
Pharaoh Brown’s Mindset Reflects the Cardinals’ Commitment to Patience and Development
Brown arrived in Tempe at an interesting time. The Cardinals, sitting at 2-5, had just decided to stand pat at the trade deadline — a move that spoke to both patience and internal belief. While fans clamored for a roster shakeup, the front office chose development over desperation.
Brown shrugged off the speculation. “That’s kind of above my pay grade,” he said with a laugh. “At this point, being in the league nine years, I’ve played with and against everybody. We’ve got a good team right here. We just won last week, and the focus is stacking another one.”
That steady, grounded perspective is part of what makes Brown valuable to young teams like Arizona. He’s seen how fragile an NFL opportunity can be — and how quickly a locker room can turn over. His message, to teammates and to himself, is simple: be present.
“My role now is just about being present,” he said. “Enjoying the moment, keeping an open heart. This game can pull your focus in a lot of directions, but when I’m present, I can play free and have fun. The toughness, the resilience — that’s just who I am. But peace? That’s what I’m working on.”
Brown Reunites With Jacoby Brissett as Cardinals Prepare for Crucial NFC West Battle
Part of that peace comes from familiarity. Brown reunited in Arizona with quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a former teammate from their time in Cleveland. Brissett, known for his leadership and intelligence, recently breathed new life into the Cardinals’ offense when called upon to start.
“Jacoby’s a pro, man,” Brown said. “Great communicator, great leader, just understands the game at a high level. I’ve seen him step into tough situations before and play good football. He’s consistent, and that’s why he’s still here doing it.”
Pharaoh Brown one-on-one in pass protection against Jaelan Phillips https://t.co/OHEPvoucJ0 pic.twitter.com/HZ3pTVNFpM
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 26, 2024
That kind of steadying presence matters as Arizona tries to regain footing in a tough NFC West. And this week, the challenge doesn’t get any easier — a road test against the Seattle Seahawks, Brown’s former team, who enter on a three-game win streak.
“It’s gonna take all four quarters,” Brown said. “Penalties and special teams will be huge. It’s about playing complementary football, taking care of the ball, and fighting through the noise. Games like this — these are the ones players live for.”
Brown Finds New Purpose in Aviation and Youth Empowerment
Away from the field, Brown has found a different kind of focus. His lifelong fascination with aviation traces back to his childhood, when he grew up near an airport, watching planes take off and disappear into the sky. For years, it felt like a fantasy — something “other people got to do,” as he put it. Now, it’s part of his identity.
“Football’s my hobby,” he said. “Being a pilot — that’s my career. Football doesn’t last forever, so I’m just perfecting my hobby while I still can. When the time comes, I’ll have something I can do for life.”
It’s more than just a personal passion, though. Brown wants to use aviation to inspire kids — especially those from underrepresented communities — to dream beyond the traditional paths of sports and entertainment.
“We always put sports in front of kids,” he said. “But the reality is, most won’t make it to the pros. Aviation opens doors they don’t even know exist — pilots, mechanics, engineers, air traffic control, flight attendants. There’s a whole world up there.”
He’s working on launching a local initiative around Tempe to introduce youth to aviation through hands-on experiences — taking kids to airports, letting them sit in simulators, showing them planes up close. His goal is to make the unreachable feel real.
“I want to show them it’s achievable,” Brown said. “They see us as athletes, but it’s like, ‘Hey, look, I’m also doing this pilot thing — and it’s pretty cool too.’ That can change how a kid sees what’s possible.”
The pilot’s discipline, he added, mirrors football’s in surprising ways. “You have to prepare for everything — weather, mechanics, airspace, communication,” he said. “It’s just like being a tight end. You have to know the passing game, the run game, protection — everything. And when you’re flying, that same rush hits you as when you’re on the field. That’s when I knew — this was my place.”
From Practice Squads to Stability, Brown Shares the Blueprint for NFL Survival
Brown’s story is one of longevity — not just survival, but reinvention. He’s spent years navigating the NFL’s margins, finding ways to stay employed and relevant in a league that turns over rosters faster than any other sport. His advice for younger players is simple and precise.
“Special teams,” he said immediately. “That’s the way to carve out a long career. It’s how you stay in the system, stay on the radar. A lot of guys get frustrated about being on the practice squad, but it’s not what it used to be. It’s basically extra roster spots now. You just have to stay ready.”
Brown knows from experience — he spent his early years bouncing between active rosters and practice squads. “If you think the grass is greener and you leave, you might end up out of the league,” he said. “Stay in the system, stay consistent, and your shot will come.”
That perspective has kept him grounded, even as his career has taken him across the country and through countless locker rooms. He’s proud of the work he’s done — but he’s also at peace with what comes next.
“I’m naturally competitive,” he said, grinning. “That’s just who I am. I compete with my wife, my five-year-old son, everybody. That never leaves. But when football’s done, I’ll probably get on the plane and fly down to our place in Mexico and the beach, drink a couple of pina coladas, listen to some sunset tunes, and vibe. Nothing too crazy.”
From Jarvis Landry to Trey McBride, Brown’s Mount Rushmore Reflects His NFL Journey
Ask Brown to name his Mount Rushmore of pass catchers, and he doesn’t hesitate. He keeps it personal — rooted in players he’s shared a field with and seen up close.
“I’m going with who I’ve played with,” he said. “Jarvis Landry, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Michael Crabtree — and my boy Trey McBride.”
It’s a fitting list for a player who’s seen nearly every side of the league — veterans who defined professionalism, young stars finding their groove, and one teammate who represents Arizona’s future at tight end. Brown’s respect for the craft of receiving reflects his own evolution: a player who’s done the dirty work, embraced every role, and helped others shine.
Brown Defines His Legacy Through Fatherhood and the Power of Perseverance
Ask Brown what he wants his legacy to be, and he doesn’t mention stats, contracts, or highlight reels. Instead, he talks about family — and perspective.
“I never got into football for the fame,” he said. “I got into it to open doors, set up my family, give my boys a better life than I had. That’s what this was about.”
To Brown, the truest measure of success is simple: being there. “When I come home after a game, my kids don’t care about the score,” he said. “They just want to play. That’s what keeps it real. In my kids’ eyes, I’m already a Hall of Famer and gold jacket. And that’s all that really matters.”
He paused for a moment. “We all go through adversity,” he said finally. “Mine just happens to play out on TV. But if people can take something from my journey — the persistence, the faith, the focus — and use that to push through whatever they’re going through, that’s enough for me.”