Something fell out of the sky and onto the ground in addition to the record snowfall that dropped on Regina in the winter of 2012. That something was former Edmonton Eskimo and current Saskatchewan Roughrider Weldon Brown.
Weldon made the move alone without his family, as players often do. Now a huge part of the Riders’ defence, his family has now joined him in Regina for at least one winter. The Brown family includes Weldon, his wife Twila, and their two adorable children, with a third on the way.
I spoke with Twila about the challenges and joys that arise for the family and partner of a football player before pro, through the pro years, and what she anticipates life might be like when Weldon’s playing days are over.
Kelly Bale: Hello Twila, thank you for making the time for us. What city do I find you in today?
Twila Brown: I am currently in Houston, Texas. I just returned from Austin, Texas from being in my best friend’s wedding.
KB: Excellent news. Does the family retreat to Texas for all or a portion of every winter? Just some?
TB: We usually go back to Texas for all of the off season, but this year we were able to stay. We wanted to have the northern winter experience at least once.
KB: Okay, if I may backtrack a bit. How, and when, did you meet your husband Weldon?
TB: I met Weldon back in 2005 in college. We were both college athletes at the time, Weldon playing football and I was playing softball.
One evening we went into the cafeteria right before they closed, due to late practices, hoping to get a meal that night before they locked the doors on us. I was sitting down eating my food and he asked if he could sit in front of me and, of course, I said I didn’t mind.
I didn’t think anything of it but my friend and I were sitting there chit chatting and I said yeah he plays football, and then Weldon looked over.
I guess she was shocked that I knew he played. My friend, she had no idea. She thought he was a walk-on and that he didn’t even travel with the team. I kind a looked at her and scratched my head, because I knew that he was there on scholarship and that he had recently played in the game at kick return. I knew his football number, position, and stats for that game.
With that said he kind of looked at me shockingly, like, wow she knows who I am. So I kind of giggled at him and I was like yeah, you know, I know football a little bit.
I didn’t really go into details with it, but ever since that day in the cafeteria we began to speak more often. We started a wonderful journey of friendship, which eventually led to best friends, and happily ever after!
KB: That’s a fantastic story. Given your athletic goals, what were your personal goals and aspirations leading up to meeting your husband and starting this journey?
TB: Some of my personal goals and aspirations were definitely to become a sports broadcaster, sports analyst, sports news anchor, I think you get my drift here.
But really being a single parent, full-time student athlete, and also working a part-time job, my ultimate goal at that time in my life was to graduate college. I did in May of 2009.
KB: Congrats are due for sure. That’s quite the juggling act. Is it fair to say you’ve always wanted a family?
TB: Definitely yes! Weldon and I both have the same views on family!
KB: Your kids are adorable. What are their names and how old are they? How have they adjusted to life in Canada?
TB: Thank you so very much! I have a 2 year old daughter named Peyton, and a 10 year old son named Kyle. They actually like it in Canada. Especially right now with the snow! The cold isn’t affecting them too much, and I make sure that they are not outside for too long. They are enjoying themselves. I wish I could say the same as far as the weather is concerned, but I’m not complaining.
KB: You definitely would have a right to because you’re from Texas. Where were you when he told you about his NFL opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars following senior year?
TB: I was at my apartment, I had just finished watching the NFL draft and listening to the broadcasters speak on the players that were drafted and the guys that were not drafted. Soon after, I received a personal phone call from Weldon, letting me know.
KB: You were in a dating relationship at the time, so how did you feel when Weldon got the call from his agent about the Eskimos in c-c-c-cold C-C-C-Canada?
TB: When he received the phone call from the Edmonton Eskimos, I was pretty excited for him. The weather really didn’t play a factor at the moment, because I was excited about him getting the opportunity to continue his playing career. Neither one of us really questioned the cold at the time. It was really more about him getting the opportunity to play the game that he loves once again.
KB: I get the feeling that you could live without the freezing winters in Regina, correct?
TB: Well of course you are right! I could live without the freezing winters, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Even though some days are pretty brutal, I’m not complaining. I can say I’ve done it now.
Really it’s wherever my husband is. That’s where I want the kids and I to be. If it’s going to take me being in the freezing cold then, hey, so be it. I’m going to fight through it. Home is where my husband is!
KB: A very special commitment on your part makes this possible for the kids. How involved are the kids with their dad’s work?
TB: Kyle is pretty involved, he loves hanging out and helping out during practices when he can. My daughter Peyton is just along for the ride.
KB: How would the Brown family compare the atmosphere Mosaic on Labour Day to a Louisiana Tech rival game?
TB: Very similar! Football games in Texas and Louisiana are some of the best you’ll ever watch. Even on the high school level. The atmosphere at Mosaic is by far the closest you’ll get when compared to a rival game back home. It doesn’t even have to be Labour day at Mosaic for the atmosphere to be like it is at home. Were you at the home game at Mosaic last season against the Ottawa Redblacks? Insane atmosphere!
KB: Yes I was. When Dressler made that 60 yard catch and run, it was electric! I know you love the NFL and you’re following the NCAA too, where does the CFL rank for you?
TB: The CFL ranks second for me right now. For me, college football is probably the most exciting to watch. I mean when you have over 90,000 screaming fans at a powerhouse school playing against their rival, the atmosphere is just amazing!
The CFL is a close second. The game is a bit slower to me in the NFL, but I know those guys’ jobs are on the line every day, as they are in Canada. They all have their pros and cons, but I can honestly say I love all three. I’m an avid fan of all of the leagues, and I can keep talking about it forever so I’ll stop here and save us some time.
KB: Have you discussed with Weldon what you’d like to do as a family when his playing days come to an end?
TB: Yes, we discuss what we would like to do often. Nothing is really set in stone, but we do have a lot of options on the table. We actually have our hands in some of those options as we speak. We are both business and sports minded individuals and we both have our degrees to back whatever decisions we make.
I know that he would love to be an athletic director for a high school, a college or professional coach, or something like that.
I will get into some type of broadcasting sooner than later. I’m also going to look into opening up my own gym, sports nutrition business. The options are there. We’ll make the best decisions for and with our growing family.
KB: When is the due date for your third child?
TB: Our baby girl is due on June 25th.
KB: A little girl! I’m happy for you both. Thanks for taking the time for us Twila, it’s been a pleasure hearing about the challenges and perks of being in a football family. God bless and best of luck in your future endeavours. One last question, is it June yet?
TB: I wish it was! I love football season! I’m the lucky one that gets to start the football season earlier than my friends in the states! I’m trying to get them to watch more CFL so they can be saying, “Is It June yet?”, also!
