Former NFL LB, USC star Keith Browner Sr. dies at 63

Field Level Media|published: Wed 5th November, 20:12 2025

Dec 15, 1985; Tampa, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Keith Browner (57) on the bench against the Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Stadium. The Colts defeated the Bucs 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images

Former NFL linebacker and Southern California star Keith Browner Sr. died Tuesday, reportedly in San Leandro, Calif. He was 63.

Keith Browner Jr. told TMZ that his father was having stomach issues on Monday night and said he would visit the hospital Tuesday. But the younger Browner said his father collapsed while preparing to leave for the hospital and died.

A cause of death has not yet been divulged.

Keith Browner Sr. had six interceptions in three seasons at USC (1981-83) before being a second-round pick (No. 30 overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1984 NFL Draft.

He played three seasons with the Buccaneers before bouncing around to the San Francisco 49ers (1987), Los Angeles Raiders (1987) and San Diego Chargers (1988) over his final two seasons. Browner had 10.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions in 65 games (44 starts). He returned an interception for a touchdown for the Chargers.

Browner was one of six football-playing boys in his family and four played in the NFL. The most famous one was Ross, a former Notre Dame All-American and Cincinnati Bengals star. Ross Browner was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999 and died in 2022 at age 67.

Joey Browner was a six-time Pro Bowl safety for the Minnesota Vikings while Jim Browner briefly was a defensive back for the Bengals.

Keith Browner Jr. played three games for the Houston Texans in 2014. He played college football at Cal.

--Field Level Media