Theresa Clark of St. Louis tells The Associated Press that Brown lived for football, and loved it with all of his heart. He was a practice-squad linebacker with the Dallas Cowboys.
The 25-year-old Brown died Saturday in Irving, Texas. Teammate Josh Brent is charged with intoxication manslaughter and being held on $500,000 bond.
While Clark's heart is heavy over the death of her eldest grandson, she remains proud of his accomplishments.
She says Brown built a foundation of faith, hard work and discipline for his younger cousins to follow.
Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones says team is grieving
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says his team is grieving over the death of linebacker Jerry Brown as it gets ready to play the Cincinnati Bengals in a game that has major playoff implications.
Dallas was playing one day after defensive lineman Josh Brent was charged with intoxication manslaughter after he flipped his car, killing Brown.
Players were told of the matter on their flight to Cincinnati on Saturday. Jones said before the game on Sunday that the best thing the Cowboys could do was play their best to honor Brown. The Cowboys (6-6) needed a win to stay in the thick of playoff contention.
A moment of silence was scheduled before the kickoff.