Keith Browner

Keith Tellus Browner Sr. (January 24, 1962 –

Keith Browner
November 4, 2025) was an American
professional football player who was a
linebacker in the National Football League
(NFL). He played college football for the USC
Trojans. He was the father of Keith Browner Jr.,
who became an NFL defensive end.[1][2]

Early life
Browner was born on January 24, 1962, in
Warren, Ohio,[3] where he attended Warren
Western Reserve High School.[4] Before his
senior year, he moved to Atlanta,[4] where he
went to Southwest High.[3]

College career
Browner played linebacker at the University of
Browner with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, c. 1984
Southern California.[5] He was referred to
frequently in passing as a star player from the No. 57, 51, 59, 81, 53
team.[6][7] Browner was named to the All-Pac- Position Linebacker
10 team twice during his college career.[7]
Personal information
Before the NFL draft, word spread that Browner
was "inconsistent" and "didn't hustle," a trait Born January 24, 1962
that lead him to be a volatile prospect.[8] Warren, Ohio, U.S.
Died November 4, 2025 (aged 63)
San Leandro, California, U.S.
Professional career Height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight 245 lb (111 kg)
Browner was selected by the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers with the 30th overall pick in the Career information
second round of the 1984 NFL draft.[9] This High school Warren Western Reserve
pick was called the "worst choice of the day" by Southwest (Atlanta, Georgia)
Chicago Bears scout Jim Parmer.[8] At the end College USC
of his first season, he was named to the 1984
NFL draft 1984: 2nd round, 30th overall pick
PFWA All-Rookie Team.[10] Browner played in
an era of intense struggle for the Buccaneers, Career history
with the team only winning ten games during
Browner's three seasons. The team and Browner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1984–1986)
failed to see eye to eye, with Browner saying the
team had a "losing attitude" while he was San Francisco 49ers (1987)
suspended for 3 days during his final season Los Angeles Raiders (1987)
with the team due to his "chronic tardiness."[8] San Diego Chargers (1988)
Toronto Argonauts (1990)
The Buccaneers traded Browner to the San
Francisco 49ers for a 1988 sixth round draft Pittsburgh Gladiators/Tampa Bay Storm (1990–
pick. He was released by the 49ers in September 1993)
before being resigned as a replacement. He Shreveport Pirates (1994)
spent only two more weeks with the team before Charlotte Rage (1996)
being traded to the Los Angeles Raiders.[8] Arizona Rattlers (1997)

Browner was signed as a free agent by the San Awards and highlights
Diego Chargers on April 13, 1988.[8] He was set
to be used as both a linebacker and defensive PFWA All-Rookie Team (1984)

lineman.[11] After butting heads with all three of Second Team All-Arena (1990)
his past teams, initially spirits were high going AFL All Star (1993)
into Browner's first season with the Chargers.[8] 2× Second-team All-Pac-10 (1982, 1983)
However, on September 1, 1989, Browner was
Career NFL statistics
suspended for thirty days following a positive
test for steroid use.[12] He had previously started Sacks 10.5
at defensive end during the 1988 season. Fumble recoveries 5
Browner protested the suspension, referring to Interceptions 4
the test as faulty.[13] Stats (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/pla
yers/B/BrowKe24.htm) at Pro Football Reference
Post-National Football League Stats (https://www.arenafan.com/players/213/) at
ArenaFan.com
After being released by the Chargers, Browner
spent time in the Canadian Football League. He
spent time with the Toronto Argonauts before joining the Arena Football League (AFL). While playing in
the AFL, Browner attempted to sign with the British Columbia Lions to no avail.[14] He also spent the
1994 season with the Shreveport Pirates[15] before being waived in May 1995.[16]

Browner played with the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL for three seasons, including while they were
known as the Pittsburgh Gladiators.[17][18] He also spent time with the Charlotte Rage in 1996 and the
Arizona Rattlers in 1997.[17] Browner was named to the second 1990 All-Arena Team team with the
Gladiators and the 1993 All-Star team with the Storm.[19]

Personal life and death

The Browner family has been referred to as a "tremendous" football family, with all of Browner's
brothers playing in the NFL.[5] His eldest brother Ross Browner played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the
NFL, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.[20] Jim Browner also played with
the Bengals after going to Notre Dame.[21] Willard and Gerald Browner both exclusively played in
college, while Joey Browner also played at USC before going to the Minnesota Vikings.[5]
Keith's son, Keith Browner Jr., was a defensive end/linebacker who played for the University of
California, Berkeley, and later played in the NFL.[22] Keith's eldest daughter, Keicha, was a national
synchronized swimmer and standout athlete in multiple sports in high school.[23] Keith's nephew, Rylan
Browner (son of Ross Browner), played football for the University of Arizona and Max Starks (Ross'
biological son) is a two-time Super Bowl Champion who played with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[5][20]

After retiring from football, Browner became an assistant coach in high school football while living in
Stockton.[24] He died on November 4, 2025, at the age of 63.[25][26]

References
1. "Player Bio: Keith Browner - the University of California Official Athletic Site" (https://web.arc
hive.org/web/20101225020220/http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/browner_keith0
0.html). Archived from the original (http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/browner_kei
th00.html) on December 25, 2010. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
2. "Texans bring fullback Norris back into fold, also sign Browner" (http://blog.chron.com/ultima
tetexans/2012/06/texans-bring-fullback-norris-back-into-fold-also-sign-browner/).
Chron.com. June 14, 2012.
3. "Keith Browner Stats" (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowKe24.htm).
Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
4. Simon, Joe (September 26, 2017). "Legends return to Warren" (https://www.tribtoday.com/s
ports/local-sports/2017/09/legends-return-to-warren/). Tribune Chronicle. Retrieved
November 6, 2025.
5. Crumpacker, John (August 17, 2010). "Football is Keith Browner Jr.'s family business" (http
s://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Football-is-Keith-Browner-Jr-s-family-business-325
5795.php). SFGate. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
6. Smith, David Michael (November 5, 2025). "Keith Browner Sr., NFL player from a great
football family, dies at 63" (https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/keit
h-browner-sr-nfl-player-from-a-great-football-family-dies-at-63). NBC Sports. Retrieved
November 8, 2025.
7. Holleran, Andrew (November 5, 2025). "Prayers Pouring In After Former NFL Player Dies
'Suddenly' At 63" (https://thespun.com/nfl/prayers-pouring-in-after-former-nfl-player-dies-sud
denly-at-63). The Spun. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
8. Hewitt, Brian (September 8, 1988). "Keith Browner Finally Finds a Home With Chargers:
After Bouncing Around, Bulking Up, He Takes Advantage of Holdout, Injury to Start at
Linebacker" (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-08-sp-2175-story.html). Los
Angeles Times. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
9. "1984 NFL Draft Listing" (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1984/draft.htm). Pro-
Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
10. "1984 NFL All-Rookie Team" (https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/12/29/1984-NFL-All-Rooki
e-Team/8805473144400/). United Press International. December 29, 1984. Retrieved
November 10, 2025.
11. "Chargers Sign Free-Agent Linebacker Keith Browner" (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-
xpm-1988-04-14-sp-1741-story.html). Los Angeles Times. April 14, 1988. Retrieved
November 8, 2025.
12. Associated Press (September 2, 1988). "SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; N.F.L. Bans
Browner" (https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/02/sports/sports-people-football-nfl-bans-brown
er.html). The New York Times. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
13. "Charger's Browner Vows To Fight Drug Release" (https://books.google.com/books?id=XrsD
AAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Keith%20Browner%22&pg=PA38). Jet. Vol. 76, no. 26. Chicago:
Johnson Publishing Co. Inc. October 2, 1989. p. 38. ISSN 0021-5996 (https://search.worldc
at.org/issn/0021-5996). Retrieved November 8, 2025.
14. Shelton, Gary (June 7, 1992). "Browner again on the ladder" (https://www.tampabay.com/arc
hive/1992/06/07/browner-again-on-the-ladder/). Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 8,
2025.
15. "Transactions" (https://www.courant.com/1994/10/15/transactions-3924/). Hartford Courant.
October 15, 1994. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
16. "Transactions" (https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/10/sports/transactions-781695.html). The
New York Times. May 10, 1995. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
17. "Keith Browner - Career Stats" (https://www.arenafan.com/players/Keith_Browner-213/).
ArenaFan.com. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
18. Romano, John (July 3, 1991). "Ex-Buccaneer Browner signs with Storm" (https://www.tampa
bay.com/archive/1991/07/03/ex-buccaneer-browner-signs-with-storm/). Tampa Bay Times.
Retrieved November 8, 2025.
19. "Keith Browner - Awards" (https://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=213&p
ageview=bio). ArenaFan.com. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
20. Associated Press (January 5, 2022). "Ross Browner, 2-time All-American at Notre Dame
and former Cincinnati Bengals great, dies at 67" (https://www.espn.com/college-football/stor
y/_/id/32999399/ross-browner-2-all-american-notre-dame-dies-67). ESPN. Retrieved
November 8, 2025.
21. "Former Harding and NFL star Keith Browner Sr. dies at 63" (https://www.tribtoday.com/sport
s/local-sports/2025/11/former-harding-and-nfl-star-keith-browner-sr-dies-at-63/). Tribune
Chronicle. November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
22. Solomon, Jerome (June 21, 2014). "For Browner, NFL pedigree just another obstacle" (http
s://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/solomon/article/For-Browner-NFL-pedigree
-just-another-obstacle-5570276.php). Houston Chronicle. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved
November 8, 2025.
23. Pucin, Diane (March 21, 1999). "Waters Are Unfamiliar, but Synchro Swans Dive In" (https://
www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-21-sp-19620-story.html). Los Angeles Times.
Retrieved November 8, 2025.
24. Sondheimer, Eric (September 10, 2005). "In These Families, the Sons Also Rise" (https://ww
w.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-10-sp-hssondcol10-story.html). Los Angeles
Times. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
25. "Former NFL Player Keith Browner Sr. Dead at 63" (https://www.tmz.com/2025/11/04/former
-nfl-player-keith-browner-sr-dead-dies/). TMZ. November 4, 2025. Retrieved November 8,
2025.
26. Smith, Michael David (November 5, 2025). "Keith Browner Sr., NFL player from a great
football family, dies at 63" (https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/keit
h-browner-sr-nfl-player-from-a-great-football-family-dies-at-63). NBC Sports. Retrieved
November 11, 2025.

External links
Keith Browner (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3858685/) at IMDb

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