The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Cincinnati Bengals are mourning today as the sudden death of one of their former players was announced on Saturday morning.
Jimmie Browner Jr., who played running back and defensive back for the Irish, has died at the age of 68.
Jimmie’s passing was confirmed Friday by one of his surviving brothers, Keith, and his high school football coach, Steve Arnold.
“The Browner family has always been great to me as a coach,” Arnold said.
“I received a phone call from Jim last year encouraging me. … No other set of brothers succeeded as much as they have on the football field.”
Browner played at Notre Dame in the 1970s, beginning as a running back in his freshman year before moving to defensive back for the next three seasons.
He ran for 394 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman, then had five interceptions on defense over the next three seasons.
As a junior, he also spent time as a kick returner, returning eight kicks for an average of 16.6 yards per return.
Browner was a member of the 1977 Notre Dame team, a team that was recognized as that season’s consensus national champion. The roster included future Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana, who was the team’s starting quarterback in his junior season.
Jimmie Browner Jr. Drafted By Cincinnati Bengals After Notre Dame Tenure
After his four-year career at Notre Dame, Browner was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 12th round of the 1979 NFL Draft.
He played two seasons for the Bengals, with his last NFL appearance coming in the 1980 season.
He played in 18 games during his two seasons with the Bengals, spending time as a kick returner and defensive back.
Jimmie Browner Jr. started six games, finishing with one interception and two forced fumbles. As a return man, he returned eight kicks, averaging 12.1 yards per return.
He played in 18 games during his two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, spending time as a kick returner and defensive back.
He started six games, finishing with one interception and two forced fumbles. As a return man, he returned eight kicks, averaging 12.1 yards per return.
Browner had three brothers who also appeared in the NFL. Joey, Keith and Ross Browner all played professionally, with Joey having the most impressive career.
Joey Browner was selected in the first round of the 1983 draft after attending USC, and he went on to make three All-Pro teams and six Pro Bowls.
He was also selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade team of the 1980s.
Jimmie’s older brother Ross died in January 2022 from complications of COVID-19. He was a two-time All American At Notre Dame and also played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Jimmie played one season with Ross during his time with the Bengals.
