RIP Samurai

[JimmyinSD]

Joey Browner has passed away now too.  He is the guy I always wanted to know where he was lining up jist because he was so fun to watch play the game.  One of the best weather have ever had wear the purple.

[purplefaithful]

Dayum....65 is too young to meet your maker.

RIP, tough weekend for Vikings org and us fans. We lost 2 great ones.

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[JR44]

This really hurts, one of the all time greats and amazing person, huge loss.

[purplefaithful]

Joey Browner, a Vikings safety great who was named to the team’s Ring of Honor in 2013 after intercepting 37 passes and reaching six Pro Bowls during his nine seasons with the team, died at the age of 65 on Saturday, March 28, the Vikings announced.

Browner, the 19th overall pick in the 1983 NFL draft, remains the highest-drafted safety in Vikings history and was the only one the team had selected in the first round until Harrison Smith was taken 29th overall in 2012. Browner was named a first-team All-Pro three times in his time with the Vikings, while earning another second-team honor.

The third of four brothers who all played in the NFL, Browner made his mark with the Vikings because of his nose for the football, intercepting at least five passes during each of his last five seasons with the team. He ranks third in team history with 17 forced fumbles, and his 37 interceptions are the fifth most in Vikings history. Smith, who has played 14 seasons in Minnesota, ranks just ahead of Browner with 39.

“He was a guy who helped define what it is to be a safety,” Smith said after he intercepted his 38th pass against Washington in December to surpass Browner. “We probably had kind of similar games: pretty physical guys but could also turn the ball over well. Been fortunate enough to talk to him [at training camp]. Just an honor to be mentioned [with] him.”

Browner had dealt with significant health issues in recent years, leading former teammates Tommy Kramer, Ted Brown and Scott Studwell to partner with former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura last August for a sports memorabilia autograph event to raise money for Browner’s medical care. All items at the event in Fridley sold for $47, in honor of Browner’s jersey number with the Vikings. Kramer posted on his website that fans purchased more than 525 items at the event.

Browner died the same day as Jeff Siemon, the Vikings middle linebacker who played 11 seasons for the team and was selected alongside Browner to the “50 Greatest Vikings” team the club assembled for its 50th anniversary in 2010.

Strib

[kmillard]

One of my favorite players growing up. Could take over games from the safety position. John Madden once said if he could start with two players on defense it would be LT56 and #47.
RIP.