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Joey Browner, a former star NFL defensive back who spent most of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 65 years old.
The Vikings selected Browner in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of USC. He rose through the ranks to become a starter in his second season. In his third year with the Vikings, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl.
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Former Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner smiles as he was honored before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at the HHH Metrodome on October 27, 2013. (Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports)
Browner was a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro selection. He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 1980s team.
“We lost a great friend and one of the Vikings’ best teammates,” said former Vikings star Steve Jordan, via the Vikings website. “God blessed Joey with phenomenal talent and a big heart to love people and be a beacon of positivity. Truly, he will be missed.”
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Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner (47) on the field against the Phoenix Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium on October 27, 1991. (USA TODAY Sports)
Browner played nine years with the Vikings. He had 37 interceptions and 9.5 sacks in 138 games with the Vikings. Minnesota honored Browner by enshrining him in its Ring of Honor in 2013.
One of his best seasons came in 1990. He played in all 16 games for the Vikings that year and threw a career-high seven interceptions.
He appeared in six playoff games for the Vikings, but never made it to the Super Bowl.
Buffalo Bills running back (34) Thurman Thomas passes Minnesota Vikings defensive end (78) William Gay and (47) Joey Browner at Rich Stadium during the season opener on September 4, 1988. (Tony Tomsic/USA TODAY NETWORK)
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He played in seven games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992 before retiring from football.
