Jason Brown grew up in Henderson, North Carolina. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina, where he played both guard and tackle before moving to center. He never missed a game. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2005. Brown became a free agent in 2009 and was signed by the St. Louis Rams for $37.5 million, making him the highest-paid center in the league.

He was again a free agent three years later, but rather than signing a new contract, Brown left the NFL and bought a 1,000-acre farm nearly Louisburg, North Carolina. Brown has been farming full-time since 2013, and he gives nearly everything that he grows (mostly sweet potatoes) to the poor. He and his wife, Tay, have been married since 2003 and have eight children.