ABOUT PRESTON BROWN FOUNDATION

Our founder, Michael Preston Brown, was taught at an early age “To whom much is given, much is required”. A 2010 graduate of Northwest High School in Cincinnati, Preston lettered in both football and basketball. He is a three-year varsity letter winner in football, earning a two-time 1st Team all-conference, 1st Team All-City, 1st Team All-District and 2nd Team All-State honors. In 2015, in recognition of his outstanding service and achievements, Preston was inducted into the NWHS Hall of Fame – their youngest recipient ever.

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Preston earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Louisville and graduated in December 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in education. A three-year starter at linebacker he amassed a career total 301 tackles. During his junior season, Preston emerged as one of the leading linebackers in the country for a Louisville team that won the Big East Championship and upset Florida in the Sugar Bowl. In 2014 Preston was named to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Collegiate Team and selected to play in the East-West Shrine Collegiate All-Star Game. In November 2019 he was named in Sports Illustrated to Louisville football’s 2010 All-Decade team.

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The Buffalo Bills selected Preston in the 3rd round of the 2014 NFL draft, 73rd overall. As a rookie linebacker he led his team with 109 tackles - second among all NFL rookies. He produced 100+ tackles in each of his four seasons with the Bills.  In 2017 Preston lead all NFL defenders with 144 tackles. In March of 2018, Preston signed to play for the Cincinnati Bengals.

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With 44 seconds left in the second quarter of his 1st game as a Cincinnati Bengal, Preston injured his ankle. The first of three injuries which ultimately placed him on IR. The 2018 season ended with surgery – the worst-case scenario for a guy on a one-year deal. Preston was concerned his NFL career was over. Thankfully he earned his degree from the University of Louisville, but for the first time in 20 years, he wasn’t playing football. The stress took a toll. He wasn’t physically able to maintain his elite workout regimen. Not knowing if he would be cleared in time for spring workouts compounded his anxiety. He talked often with his dad, then decided to get professional support to cope with all the changes. The relationship with his dad and therapy sessions helped him progress - mentally, physically, and spiritually to

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Preston finished his NFL career in 2020 as a 6-year veteran. He was selected by the NLFPA as a Community MVP runner-up during the 2019 season. He joined the UofL football radio broadcast team in 2022-2023 as sideline reporter. He volunteers much of his time in support of this foundation, and various local and national organizations. He is an avid philanthropist, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker.