Jerry Jones and others mourn the loss of the former Giants halfback and Dallas assistant
It's been round after round of serious NFL news over the past few days. From the tragic death of Dwayne Haskins at the age of 24 to the passing of Hall of Fame lineman Rayfield Wright, with the news of Gary Brown's death, the league mourns heavily, but not without relief. Brown, 52, died Sunday in hospice care in Williamsport, Pennsylvania - where he had been for the past several weeks due to health issues stemming from his long battle with cancer.
His battle against the terminal illness took a turning point for the worse in 2020 shortly after his departure from the Dallas Cowboys, where he served as the back coach for the past seven seasons.
Team owner Jerry Jones issued a heartfelt statement following the news.
"Gary Brown had a big heart with a big smile and a big personality," Jones said. "His energy and spirit was infectious. He lighted up every room and touched the lives of those who knew him in such a positive way. Everyone who knew him loved him. He meant so much to those players." whom he coached and the coaches with whom he coached.
"His love for family, football, and life was evident every day. He continued to fight, and he never gave up. My family and the Dallas Cowboys family are heartbroken, and our love and support from his wife, Kim, to their daughters." With Malena and Doriana, and her son, Trey."
After Brown's passing, love poured in on social media, from both NFL and collegiate players (and more) who had the pleasure of having his path crossed. A former running back himself, Brown entered the NFL as an eighth-round pick of the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans organization and five with the club before landing with the New York Giants via the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. Season spent.
He logged a 1,000-year season with the Big Blue in 1998 and worked as an RB coach from a collegiate assistant for the Cleveland Browns—before eventually moving up the coaching ranks in the early 2000s.
He would spend four seasons in Cleveland before being hired as an RB coach for the Cowboys in 2013, where he helped DeMarco Murray to a career-best season as well as fourth-overall pick Ezekiel Elliott in bursting onto the NFL scene. The chief who helped were the masters. With a resurgence in 2016 for players like Darren McFadden.
"Great father, husband, coach and mentor," said Murray of Brown's passing via Twitter. "Appreciate you and your family more than GB...Thank you for teaching me the way on the field and in life. Appreciate Gary Brown."
Brown returned to coaching in 2021, despite his health issues, as back coach for the University of Wisconsin - a lifelong, impact footballer who will be remembered for much longer.