Thomas Edward "Ted" Brown (born February 15, 1957) is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons during the late 1970s and 1980s. Brown played college football for North Carolina State University, where he was recognized as an All-American. He was a first-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Brown's son, J. T. is currently a forward with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.