Joey Browner

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Lore & Background

Browner's career is defined by his time with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was an outstanding defensive player and tackler. He was selected to six Pro Bowls from 1985 to 1990 and was a four-time member of the John Madden "All-Madden Team." While with the Vikings, Browner traveled to China with the NFL players association in 1988, to Germany with the 1989 USO Tour, and to Paris to kick off the French Federation of American Football Annual Championship game in 1991. He amassed over 1,100 total tackles, caused 18 fumbles, and recovered 16 of them; he also led the Vikings in nine defensive categories over his NFL career. Browner holds the NFL Pro Bowl record with three fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns. He had 40 interceptions in his career for 505 total yards, including the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings placed Browner in the team's Ring of Honor in October 2013 during a Sunday night football game against the Packers, making him the 21st overall selection into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor. In 2019, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Browner to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2019.

In Their Own Story

Joey Browner's journey began at Western Reserve High in Warren, Ohio, before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Southwest High. As a senior, he had 120 unassisted tackles and three interceptions, earning Parade All-American Honors as well as the Georgia class 3A lineman of the year. After high school, it was generally believed that Browner would follow his three brothers to Notre Dame, but he instead decided on the University of Southern California. At USC, Browner was the team's Most Valuable Player in 1982, playing alongside future Hall of Famers and NFL stars. His USC teams compiled a 36–8–1 mark, and he played in one Rose Bowl Game and one Fiesta Bowl. Selected 19th overall in the 1983 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Browner became a cornerstone of their defense. His family has produced six NFL players, including brothers Ross, Jim, and Keith Browner, as well as nephews Max Starks and Keith Browner, Jr. Browner died on March 28, 2026, at the age of 65. Former Vikings teammate Steve Jordan said after his death: "God blessed Joey with phenomenal talent and a big heart to love people and be a beacon of positivity. Truly, he will be missed."

Reader's Guide

Joey Browner played safety for the Minnesota Vikings from 1983 to 1991 and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. He was selected 19th overall in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Browner was a six-time Pro Bowl selection (1985–1990) and a four-time member of the John Madden "All-Madden Team." He amassed over 1,100 total tackles, caused 18 fumbles, and recovered 16 of them; he also led the Vikings in nine defensive categories over his NFL career. Browner holds the NFL Pro Bowl record with three fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns. He had 40 interceptions in his career for 505 total yards, including the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings placed Browner in the team's Ring of Honor in October 2013, making him the 21st overall selection into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor. In 2019, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Browner to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2019. Browner was enshrined into the African-American Hall of Fame in 2004 for his work in radio sports broadcasting with his longtime friend Rich Perez in Las Vegas and Hawaii. He was nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame selection nine times.

Did You Know?

• Browner holds the NFL Pro Bowl record with three fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns.
• He was a four-time member of the John Madden "All-Madden Team."
• Browner traveled to China with the NFL players association in 1988, to Germany with the 1989 USO Tour, and to Paris to kick off the French Federation of American Football Annual Championship game in 1991.
• His family has produced six NFL players, including brothers Ross, Jim, and Keith Browner, and nephews Max Starks and Keith Browner, Jr.
• Browner was enshrined into the African-American Hall of Fame in 2004 for his work in radio sports broadcasting.