Former Lions and Rams defensive tackle Roger Brown dies at age 84

Roger Brown (YouTube)

According to ESPN on Friday, six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Roger Brown of Surrey County, Virginia passed away at the age of 84. Brown played 10 seasons in the National Football League from 1960 to 1969 with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. He was with the Lions from 1960 to 1966, and then with the Rams from 1967 to 1969.

In 138 games, Brown had 78 sacks, 15 fumble recoveries for 43 yards, three safeties, and two interceptions for 30 yards. The safeties came in a 29-20 Lions win over the Baltimore Colts on September 30, 1962, in a 26-14 Lions win over the Green Bay Packers on November 22, 1962, and in a 12-7 win over the Packers on November 7, 1965. Brown’s interceptions came in a 45-14 Lions win over the St. Louis Cardinals on November 12, 1961, and in a 17-14 Lions loss to the Dallas Cowboys on October 13, 1963.

Brown’s most famous game came on American Thanksgiving in 1962, the game the Lions beat the Packers by 12 points. In this contest, Brown sacked Packers star quarterback Bart Starr seven times, including one sack for a safety. The game was best known as the “Thanksgiving Day Massacre” and was the reason why Brown was named the best defensive lineman in the NFL in 1962.

Brown played his college football at Maryland State. He was drafted in the fourth round, 42nd overall, by the Lions in the 1960 NFL Draft. For five straight years from 1962 to 1966, Brown was selected to the Pro Bowl while representing the Lions. He was then also selected to the Pro Bowl in 1967 representing the Rams.

In 1997, Brown was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2009, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Brown was one of two former NFL Pro Bowl players to pass away this week. On Saturday, six-time Pro Bowl center Mick Tingelhoff of the Minnesota Vikings died at the age of 81. 

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