Former Vikings Pro Bowl defensive back Joey Browner dies at age 65

Joey Browner (Diz28, Wikimedia Commons)

Former Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl defensive back Joey Browner of Warren, Ohio passed away on March 28 at the age of 65 according to ESPN. Browner played 10 seasons in the National Football League. He was with the Vikings for nine straight seasons from 1983 to 1991, before one final NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. The cause of death was not released.

Browner played in 145 NFL games. He had 37 interceptions for 465 yards, three pick sixes, 17 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries for 81 yards, one touchdown from a fumble recovery and 9.5 sacks.

For six consecutive seasons Browner was selected to the Pro Bowl. He was honoured in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1990. In that time, Browner was considered one of the most feared defenders in the entire NFL. According to Ariel Kozlov of hoodline.com, Browner was known throughout the NFL for his hard hits.

Browner was the Vikings’s first round pick, 19th overall, in the 1983 NFL Draft. He played his college career with the University of Southern California Trojans.

While with the Trojans, Browner was named team captain by USC head coach John Robinson. Unlike professional hockey where teams only have one captain, in football it is common for teams to have multiple captains. It is just rare to a see the “C” on a captain’s jersey. It is clear that Browner brought his strong leadership skills from college football to professional football.

In high school, Browner was a multi-sport athlete. In addition to playing at a high level in football, he excelled in basketball and track and field.