Joey Browner, the Minnesota Vikings legend who played as a safety for the franchise from 1983 to 1991, earning six Pro Bowl selections, has passed away. The Vikings confirmed Browner’s passing with a statement on Sunday. A cause of death was not mentioned. Browner was 65 years old.
“The Vikings are mourning the loss of Ring of Honor Safety Joey Browner,” the team wrote. “Browner, a 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time 1st Team All-Pro, was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and a part of the 50 Greatest Vikings announced in 2010.”
Though his cause of death was not announced, reports note that he was suffering from some illness as the Vikings organized a fundraiser for Brower’s “some serious health issues.” It did not state what the issue was.
Joey Brower was a native of Warren, Ohio. He played college football for the USC before joining the Minnesota Vikings in the 1983 NFL draft. He played for the Vikings for nine seasons, till 1991. He played one more year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before calling it quits in 1992.
He was a standout member of the Vikings team for most of the 1980s. His peak came between 1985 and 1990, when he earned six consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
Post retirement, he kept a private life, staying away from the NFL and focusing instead on young footballers, coaching at high school levels and mentoring young athletes. He, however, was part of the Vikings community till the very end, having been inducted into the team’s ring of honor in 2013.
Browner’s Fundraiser Over “Health Issues”
Former teammate Tommy Kramer, along with Scott Studwell and Jesse Ventura, organized a fundraiser to support Joey Browner on August 16, 2025. The fundraiser did not mention what health issues the 65-year-old was facing.
Held at Shortstop in Fridley, Minnesota, with Browner present, the event included sales of autographed items like jerseys, footballs, and prints to support Browner. Titled “Joey Browner Care,” the effort saw over 525 orders, showing strong fan support for the ailing safety.
Newsweek reports that Brower was staying at a nursing home, amid his declining health, in the days prior to his death.
Joey Browner played 145 total games in the NFL with 117 starts. He recorded 37 career interceptions for 465 yards and three touchdowns, ranking fifth in Vikings history for picks, along with 9.5 sacks and four defensive touchdowns.
