Vikings legend Joey Browner has passed away at the age of 65

Between Hall of Famer Paul Krause and future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith, the Minnesota Vikings have had some excellent safeties. But no one in that group was in the class of Joey Browner, who patrolled the middle of the secondary from 1983-1991 before playing his final NFL season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992.

On Sunday, a day after announcing the passing of former linebacker Jeff Siemon, another member of the team's 50 Greatest Players, the Vikings announced Browner has passed away at the age of 65.

The Vikings shared a brief statement from former tight end Steve Jordan, who was a teammate of Browner's in Minnesota for nine seasons.

"We've lost a great friend and one of the best Vikings teammates," Jordan said. "God blessed Joey with phenomenal talent and a big heart to love people and be a beacon of positivity. Truly, he will be missed."

Minnesota Vikings legend Joey Browner has passed away at the age of 65

Browner was the 19th overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Vikings out of USC. After starting his college career as a cornerback, he moved to safety for his final season and had four interceptions that year, including two pick-sixes.

After he was drafted, Browner told the Star Tribune "I like to be around the football" and head coach Bud Grant was sure he would do just that.

"We're looking for more interceptions down the middle," Grant said. "We think he has the hands and the speed. If our information is accurate, he would be our fastest defensive back."

Over nine seasons in Purple, Browner proved his and Grant's words more than correct with 37 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, and 17 fumble recoveries.

Upon becoming a full-time starter in his third season, Browner took his place among the best safeties in the NFL. He earned six consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 1985-1990, along with four straight All-Pro Team selections from 1987-1990 (including First Team All-Pro nods in 1987, 1988, and 1990). In 1987 and 1990, Browner was a First-Team All-Pro alongside San Francisco 49ers' safety Ronnie Lott, who he overlapped with for two years at USC.

Browner was named to the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team, and he was inducted into the Vikings' Ring of Honor in 2013. His six consecutive Pro Bowls are behind only Randall McDaniel (11 in a row) and Ron Yary (seven in a row) in franchise history.

While Lott was winning four Super Bowls in San Francisco during the 80's, Browner fell below the national radar too often because he wasn't accumulating rings. But long-time Vikings' fans see Browner as our version of Lott, and during his prime years, it's not a stretch to say he was every bit as good as Lott was.

Our condolences go out to Browner’s family, friends, and teammates.