GREEN BAY – There's being in the zone and then there's whatever frequency Omar Brown was operating at during a Packers Family Night performance for the ages on Saturday.
It seemed wherever the football was thrown the first-year safety was quick to follow on his way to wowing the 59,175 in attendance at Lambeau Field with a three-interception night.
A holdover from last year's practice squad, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety already made his presence felt in training camp with a pair of interceptions through the first eight practices.
But this was something different, and making the moment even more extraordinary is the fact Brown's trifecta came in front of his mom, grandma and uncle.
"It felt good. I got my family out there, so it definitely feels good to make plays in front of them," Brown said. "Most importantly, it's just being out there playing defense. It's my first Family Night, so just being in front of the crowd and making plays is super-fun."
For someone who'd never had three INTs in a game before at any level of football, Brown had a practice most DBs can only dream of.
The first pick was slick, as Brown flashed in front of receiver Julian Hicks to intercept backup quarterback Malik Willis at the goal line during an early team period.
The second was the product of being in the right place at the right time, as Brown caught a tipped pass that had been batted into the air by another Packers defender.
He then capped his evening with an impressive display of athleticism and concentration when a deep 50/50 ball from Willis bounced off Brown's helmet and into his grasp.
The performance came as no surprise to the safeties who spent the past year with Brown, who signed with Green Bay at the end of training camp last summer.
"He's a stud. He attacks every day like a true pro," safety Zayne Anderson said. "He's always wanting to get better and he's always asking questions which I think is the first thing and he does his job, which clearly tonight, he gets those interceptions.
"He deserves it, man. He works his butt off and it's cool seeing guys in the room the fruit come from their labor."
Brown took a "30" visit to Green Bay prior to the 2024 NFL Draft but opted to sign with the Denver Broncos as a college free agent. It was understandable considering the Packers signed Xavier McKinney, returned Anderson and selected three rookie safeties (Javon Bullard, Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo).
Green Bay's interest in the former Nebraska safety didn't wane, though. When Brown fell up short of making the Broncos' 53, the Packers offered him a place on their practice squad.
Brown accepted and spent his entire rookie campaign in Green Bay. He was twice elevated to the gameday roster, recording a tackle on 24 total snaps (eight defense, 16 special teams).
During that time, Brown became a popular fixture in the safety room. That enthusiasm could be seen when he was quickly mobbed by teammates after his third INT.
In the post-practice locker room, McKinney quickly rushed to his locker while chanting "MVP, MVP" over Brown's media scrum.
"I'm proud of him, and I can't wait to continue to just see him grow," McKinney said. "After his third one, I just said, 'Just stay consistent. Stay focused.' Because as you make those plays, everybody's patting you on the back, but you've still got to understand, you're still trying to make the team."
Brown knows nothing's given and he's still competing tooth and nail at one of the Packers' deepest positions. The upcoming preseason will be huge in his quest to crack Green Bay's 53.
At the same time, picking off five passes in the first nine practices ain't a bad way to start. He's currently one INT ahead of third-year cornerback Carrington Valentine for the team lead.
Brown said he planned to grab some post-practice food with his family prior to the team's Sunday off day. When the Packers return, preparations will begin for next Saturday's preseason opener against the New York Jets.
"Man, it's just fun being around these guys," Brown said. "I feel like we've got a lot of good, diverse team, young team, little mix of old. I feel like everybody's leaders on our team.
"The vets that been playing, they're huge and they support all the young guys. This is my second year and, as you see, they're all coming up, really just seeing the hard work we're all putting in."
