Here’s how Brown’s career has unfolded:

Central Michigan

2007-9

Brown walks on at Central Michigan, where he plays well enough in relative obscurity, averaging 1,000 yards receiving a season, to get on the radar of the N.F.L.

Steelers

2010

Brown is not considered to be one of the top receivers in the draft and is taken in the sixth round by the Steelers. In all, 22 receivers are drafted ahead of Brown.

2010-16

After a quiet rookie season, Brown proves to be a steal, turning into one of the game’s greatest receivers. He makes the Pro Bowl in 2011 as a returner, then six more times in subsequent seasons as a receiver. He leads the league in receptions twice and catches more than 100 passes for more than 1,000 yards six years in a row. But there are a few incidents. In 2012, he is penalized and fined for running into the end zone backward for a touchdown. In 2015, he is fined for a touchdown celebration that involves straddling the goal post, and in 2016 for celebrating by twerking and, three weeks later, for thrusting his pelvis.