Former Minnesota Vikings’ six-time Pro Bowl safety Joey Browner died on Saturday. He was 65.
The Vikings announced the passing of Browner on Sunday, one day after the team announced former middle linebacker Jeff Siemon had died. The team did not announce the cause of death of either former player.
Selected by Minnesota with the 19th overall pick of the 1983 NFL Draft out of Southern California, Browner spent nine of his 10 NFL seasons with the Vikings.
Browner had 37 interceptions with 17 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries in 145 career games (117 starts) for the Vikings (1983-91) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992). He was a first-team All-Pro performer four times and was part of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team.
In 2010, Browner was named one of the 50 greatest Vikings players of all time and was inducted into the team’s ring of honor in 2013.
“We’ve lost a great friend and one of the best Vikings teammates,” former Vikings tight end Steve Jordan said. “God blessed Joey with phenomenal talent and a big heart to love people and be a beacon of positivity. Truly, he will be missed.”
