TAMPA - When receiver Tim Brown gets home after a long day at One Buc Place, he kisses his wife and children. Then he runs a post route to the remote control.
Click.
He can't help it.
He's a COURT TV wonk.
"If I get home when they're still talking about live trials, then I'm glued to it," Brown said. "It's a little quirky, but I just find it very interesting how it's really impossible to get away with things people think they can get away with."
Brown, a first-round draft pick of the Raiders in 1988, became interested in law early in his NFL career, considering it a possible post-football career. When the O.J. Simpson trial began in California, Brown just had to have his COURT TV.
"I don't think I missed a day of that trial," said Brown, 38, who starts his 17th season today. "When I wasn't watching it, I was taping it. And that was, unfortunately, before TiVo and all that. I have about 20 O.J. trial tapes stacked up. That put COURT TV on the map."
The cable network, patterned after all-news networks, takes cameras into courtrooms across America, allowing viewers to monitor testimony, evidence and arguments from the most controversial of legal proceedings. Daytime programming includes studio anchors and analysts. A scroll at the bottom of the screen provides the latest on everything from preliminary hearings to verdicts.
During prime time, the network airs original documentaries, series and specials such as Body of Evidence and Forensic Files about investigations at actual crime scenes.
"I TiVo Forensic Files," Brown said. "People say, "Why don't you watch CSI?' I'm watching the real thing."
When engrossed in a trial, Brown takes a couple of days to listen to evidence, draws a conclusion and picks a side.
"Then I'm rooting for that side: "Don't do that! Why are you doing that?' " said Brown, who grades hotels by whether the list of channels includes COURT TV. "I can see myself being a prosecutor, but sometimes people need good defense lawyers."
It's more than just the legalities and the drama that has a likely Hall of Fame receiver rooted to his couch. Brown's infatuation also is with the absurdity of real-life situations.
"Some of these people are really stupid to think they can get away with some of this stuff they think they can get away with," Brown said, chuckling.
Brown's wife, Sherice, does not share his infatuation. Real life can be grisly.
"There was something on the other night and they were talking about somebody who got their head blown off, and she said, "Do I have to go to bed with this on my mind?' " Brown said. "I said, "Baby, it's just COURT TV.' "
Brown's obsession is only going to get worse.
He had planned to get a degree and become a lawyer when football was over, but his career has lasted longer than he expected. When Brown does retire, he likely will settle for taking a few law classes.
And heavy doses of COURT TV.
"Once I'm not playing football and I'm sitting in an office, you can bet whatever office I'm in will have a television with COURT TV on it," Brown said. "I just think it's fascinating."
