Ex-England international Mike Brown calls for leaders to make ‘unselfish decision’ and come together in strong retirement letter
mike brown retirement
Former England star Mike Brown will retire at the end of the season, drawing to a close a professional career spanning 20 years.
Just four months short of his 40th birthday, the tenacious full-back will be eager to go out on a high, as his side, Leicester Tigers, look to compete for Premiership glory.
Many will remember Brown for his fierce performances in the white of England, notably during the 2014 Six Nations when he was named Player of the Championship.
He spent the majority of his career at Harlequins, before moving on to Newcastle Falcons for a short period, and then finally landing at Leicester Tigers where he will finish his career.
Mike Brown confirms his retirement
On his decision to retire, Brown wrote a highly emotive letter, which reads:
“After a great deal of reflection, the time feels right to step away from professional rugby and officially retire from the game that has shaped my life in so many ways.
“It’s impossible to fully express what rugby has meant to me. From the very beginning, it gave me purpose, drive, and belonging—and instilled values that have shaped who I am on and off the pitch. For more than two decades, I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dream, and I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve experienced and achieved throughout this journey.
“There have been unforgettable highs – those moments at Twickenham, hard-fought wins with Harlequins, the honour of pulling on the England shirt, and representing the history and tradition of Leicester Tigers. And there have been challenges too, moments that tested me deeply. But even the lowest points helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Every single moment – good or tough – has shaped me into the person I am today.
“To every teammate, every coach who believed in me, and the members of staff I’ve worked alongside – thank you. You challenged me, supported me, and helped me become better. I’ve learned so much from you all, and I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime.
“To the fans, your support and your energy has meant everything. Whether I was a player you liked or not, I hope you always saw the passion, commitment, and pride I felt in representing your club and our country. I never took that privilege for granted.
“A special thank you to my performance mentor of 18 years, Margot Wells. Your continuous belief, guidance, and support made such a significant difference in all I’ve achieved in the game.
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“To my family…
“Dad, thank you for introducing me to this great game. All the times spent throwing a rugby ball around the garden, all the car journeys back and forth to training and games. The journey wouldn’t have started without you.
“To my incredible wife, Eliza, your love, strength, and support have been and continue to be the foundation of everything. The sacrifices you’ve made, your encouragement, your belief in me – it’s no coincidence my career reached new heights after meeting you. To my amazing children, Jax and Sienna, you won’t quite understand yet, but you’ve been my greatest motivation and will continue to be in everything I do. As you grow, I hope I can be an example of what hard work, resilience, and dedication can achieve.
“None of this would have been possible without you all.
“Rugby has given me more than I could ever have imagined, but now it’s time for a new chapter. I’m excited for what’s ahead: continuing to work in high-performing environments, building great teams, pushing boundaries, and helping others grow.
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“To the leaders running our game…
“Club owners, league executives, national and international governing body senior leadership, my hope is that you come together, think beyond the short term, and make the bold, unselfish decisions needed to allow rugby to thrive once again. We have a responsibility to protect and grow this incredible game, so future generations can experience everything it has to offer – just as I have.
“To everyone with a significant voice in the game…
“Media figures, pundits, former players, commentators, I urge you to continue helping shift the negative narrative around rugby. Let’s talk more about the brilliant action, the big hits, the electric tries, the unbelievable skill, the fierce rivalries, and the amazing characters who make our game special. Rugby is full of passion, drama, and world-class athletes giving their all. By celebrating what makes our sport great, we can inspire the next generation, bring more fans through the gates, grow the game and remind everyone why we fell in love with it in the first place.
“The boots are coming off- but the lessons, values, and love for the game remain. So it’s goodbye from Mike Brown the rugby player, but hello to a new chapter filled with energy, purpose, and passion for what’s next.
“Thank you, for everything.
“Mike.”
Mike Brown in numbers
Brown made 72 Test appearances for England and featured on 13 occasions for England ‘A’ or England XV teams. He has played twice for the Barbarians.
Including age-grade games for England U21s and non-capped games for both Harlequins and Tigers, Brown will retire having played in more than 530 matches and scoring 760 points which includes almost 150 tries.
His 280 Premiership appearances is the fourth most of all time in the English competition behind Richard Wigglesworth (322), Danny Care (294), and Alex Goode (281), while his 72 Premiership tries is the eighth most of all-time in the competition.
Brown won two Premierships (2011/12 and 2020/21) and the European Challenge Cup (2010/11). He also reached the Challenge Cup Final again in the 2015/16 season. ‘Quins also won the Anglo-Welsh Cup during his tenure, in the 2012/13 season and were runners-up in the 2019/20 competition.
