Packers Hall of Famer Gilbert Brown says he was bullied



MILWAUKEE -- "Bully" is a documentary hailed as one that should be seen by teens, tweens, educators and others. The director, who had been bullied as a child, followed five kids and their families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals' offices, "Bully" offers insight into the often cruel world of bullied children.

What a blessing it would be if any child who was ever bullied could have someone as big and strong as Packers Hall of Famer Gilbert Brown for protection. As shocking as it may sound, Brown was bullied himself as a youngster growing up on the streets of Detroit.

"It doesn't matter how big you are. It doesn't matter how strong you are. It doesn't matter how tall you are. Any person can be bullied. It's very difficult. You've got people talking about how you look 'big' and 'dumb.' 'You can't do this.' 'You are fat,' whatever. But it is the person that is inside of you that really has to understand how to attack it," Brown said.

As someone who has been bullied, Brown says the way to attack it is head on - the way he went after opposing offensive linemen as a Packer. Brown says it takes a team effort. "If someone is bothering you and you can't handle that situation, go get help! Don't sit there and take it. Don't sit there and think that you are a snitch. If you don't like that feeling, go get help," Brown said.

Brown was fearless as a Packers player, but that doesn't mean he condones a mano on mano approach. "The same with them parents that teach them kids to attack. Oh yeah, you go back there and you whoop his tail. No! There are ways you can handle it. I wish there was like, 'Bully Police,' where they could put you in 'time out' for like, two weeks, and make you realize what's going on and realize that this is serious, because some of these kids are going home and killing themselves," Brown said.

The film "Bully" aims to be a catalyst for a change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, kids and society as a whole. As someone who's lived it, Packers legend Brown would applaud that because encouraging young people - especially kids, has become Brown's mission. "It's a passion, and you want to make a difference on that person. If you want to make that person smile," Brown said.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the "Bully" documentary.

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