Jason Brown, former center for the National Football League's (NFL) St. Louis Rams, left his US $37.5 million contract in order to do his part to help feed the needy.

While the Rams made headlines by showing a gesture of support for the Ferguson protesters, a former team member has taken up arms against a much different social cause and on an entirely different.

Like Us on Facebook

After seven years in the NFL, Brown walked away from his multi-million dollar contract in 2012. He felt that he had found a higher calling.

He left the five-year deal in order to become a farmer and help feed the hungry with his efforts.

"My agent told me, 'You're making the biggest mistake of your life,'" Brown told CBS. "And I looked right back at him and I said, 'No I'm not. No I'm not.'"

Brown was considered one of the best centers in the NFL at the time.

In 2005, he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth round. He changed teams to the Rams in 2009 where he was offered a competitive contract. He had an impressive feat of starting every game but two from 2009 to 2011, according to the News & Observer.

When he left the Rams, several teams jumped at the chance to get him. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens spoke to him about potentially joining their teams.

However, Brown declined.

Even though he had no formal farming training, he was undeterred. He bought a 1000-acre farm in Franklin County, North Carolina that year and teamed up with some experts to get his mission off the ground.

The location of his firm was an appropriate one as North Carolina's food insecurity rate is significantly higher than the national average.

He has begun to partner up with different organizations to further help his cause.

This year alone, he has donated more than 10,000 pounds of cucumbers and 100,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to local pantries.

"When I think about a life of greatness," Brown said in an interview, "I think about a life of service."

TagsJason Brown, st. louis rams, hungry, feed