NATCHEZ — Ten months of anticipation has built up for Allen Brown, and now he’s a little nervous.

Brown, a former Ole Miss and Green Bay Packers tight end, will be inducted in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame today. Although he’s looking forward to his induction at the Marriott Hotel in Jackson, Brown admits he’s a bit anxious.

“I don’t really know what to expect. All I know is, we’ll be sitting up front, and the audience will be sitting toward the back,” Brown joked.

Brown played tight end and defensive end at Ole Miss from 1961 to 1965, and was an All-American his senior year. He also had a three-year stint in Green Bay from 1965 to 1968, where he won two Super Bowl rings before injuries forced him to retire.

After finding out about his induction last September, Brown said he was “tickled to death” that he would be going into the hall.

“People told me I’d one day get in, and I really wasn’t looking for it. People were writing letters trying to get me in, and this is the biggest honor I’ve ever had,” Brown said.

“You’re there, and no one can take it away from you.”

And Brown said his numerous friends’ pining for him is one of the main reasons he got in.

“Friends are the best thing a person can have, and I had a lot of support from them. Without them, I doubt I can get in,” Brown said.

“It’s tough to get in, and there are other people with way more credentials than I have.”

Brown’s biggest support group is probably the Miss-Lou Football Foundation, and Walt Brown, the foundation’s president, said the induction was a great accomplishment for Brown.

“It’s been long overdue. He’s so humble that I know he was honored to get the award, but it’s not something he’s been screaming for,” Walt Brown said.

“He’s a member of our organization and a guy from Natchez, so we’re very happy for him.”

Walt Brown also said Brown’s humility is a big reason why he’s happy his friend was selected for the hall.

“He’ll tell you all the stories in the world about football, but he never talks about what he did,” Walt Brown said.

The Miss-Lou Football Foundation has reserved 20 seats for Natchez residents who wish to see Brown’s induction. Brown didn’t hesitate to let the community know how much he appreciates their support in his hall of fame induction.

“Natchez is a unique sports town. There are a lot of people from here that played different sports in college, and the people here are really supportive of them,” Brown said.

“If you’re from here playing college or pro ball, you have a good follow. Also, if someone’s in a state championship game, they’ll go to where the team’s playing. I really appreciate what they’re doing.”