Eagles vs. Bengals: The Brown Brothers NFL Story

For identical twins Sydney and Chase Brown, football has always been an expression of brotherly love and a shared family experience.

Sunday Brown Brothers from London, Ont. shared some NFL history while playing opposite sides in the same game. Chase played for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Sidney played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

This was the first time the twin brothers had played, and also the second time the two Canadian-born brothers had played each other.

The Eagles won 37-17. But even after the loss, Chase Brown said the experience was more important than the game.

“It was a special moment,” he said. “And not just for us, but for our family here in the same stadium.”

That included their mother, Rachel, who was in the stands to watch Chase score the touchdown.

“I’m most proud of these people,” she said. “They are living their dreams and becoming successful. What more do you want for your children?

“This is something my brother and I have been talking about since we were kids,” Sydney Brown said. “Sharing that moment with him on the field and going up against him was amazing.”

Philadelphia Eagles twin brothers defensive back Sidney Brown, left, and Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown chat after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Eagles won 37-17. (Jeff Dean/Associated Press)

St. Mary’s University assistant football coach Gavin Lake coached the Brown twins when they were teenagers.

“They work out together, they sweat together and I bet they talk every day they can,” Lake said.

Lake said Sunday’s game was more than just a touching reunion on the field. He believes the Brown twins can serve as role models and models for other Canadian athletes to follow.

“There is a path for others, and not everyone can walk it with their talent or ethics,” Lake said. “These guys are working as hard as they can and it’s good to see them having success at this stage of the game.”

Due to the structure of the NFL’s rotation schedule, the Bengals and Eagles won’t face each other for another four years. Another football family reunion on the pitch is unlikely to happen until then.