THE BROWNERS
FIRST FAMILY FOCUS OF THE NFL:
THE BROWNERS
Ross, Joey, Jimmy, Willard, Gerald, Keith, Keith Jr. Browner and Max Starks.
Here is the Browner Football History ;
HISTORY February 6, 2005 -- Arguably, the Browner's are truly the "First Family of Football." The only distinction that has alluded these famous brothers has been the "granddaddy" of all football recognitions "The Football Hall of Fame." If history is any indication, that recognition is not far behind for several members of this family. Each brother can lay claim to some outstanding achievements as a family and individually. Among the six brothers, you had six outstanding high school players; six brothers that signed with a Division I school; three brothers that played for Notre Dame; two that played for USC; five that played in College Bowl games as starters, four drafted by the NFL, one-six-time perennial "Pro Bowler," in Joey, one Super Bowl appearance & College Football Hall of Famer in Ross, and one brother that dominated both NFL and Arena Football Keith. About 1972-1992 Period For more than thirty years, the Browner Family have dominated the sports headlines. Hailing from Warren, Ohio (small town America) and having three sons (Ross, Jimmy and Williard) play on the same Notre Dame team and start was a great accomplishment. In 1976, Ross, Jimmy and Willard (Freshman) played inthe Gator Bowl against Penn State. The year was bitter sweet for the family as Jimmy Browner, Sr passed away and Ross was awarded "The Outland Trophy" for the Top Linemen of the Year. In 1977, the "Outland" Committee changed the definition to include the word "Interior," and those mere words probably denied Ross's a back to back "Outland Trophy." However, Ross would not be denied that year. Ross holds the only distinction of being the only man nominated as a "Defensive Lineman" for the "Heisman Trophy" (1977). Although he placed fifth in the overall votes, Ross was awarded a special Heisman. In the same year Ross's was awarded the "Lombardi Award" (Top Lineman in College), "UPI/API Lineman of the Year," "Maxwell Trophy" (College Player of the Year) and a "Consensus All-American" to cap off his college years. In 1978, Ross was drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Bengals. Ross played with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1978-1986, and close his career with Green Bay Packer in 1987. In 1979, the brothers made history again, when Jimmy Browner (1979-1980) was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 12th round, and Jimmy joined Ross as a teammate again. Brother Williard who played at Notre Team, and started as a Freshman in the Gator Bowl decided not to pursue a career in the NFL. While Ross's and Jimmy's NFL careers were in full swing (1978-1980), it was time for the youngest brothers to strut their stuff. Electing to change a family tradition, Joey and Keith Browner decided to play for USC instead of Notre Dame, an arch rival. Gerald Browner, the youngest brother also signed with University of Georgia, and eventually played with Morgan State. Talk about competiveness in one family! After an "outstanding college" career, Joey and Keith were both drafted by the NFL in back to back years. Joey was drafted in 1983 in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings; and Keith in 1984 in the second round by the Tampa Buccaneers. Joey became a 6-time perennial Pro-Bowler (1983-1992) and is credited with the "only man" that could stop Barry Sanders by sports writers, and Keith holds the family's distinction of dominating Arena Football and making his mark in the NFL (1984-1988). In 1986, "Football Mom", Julia Browner, was the only NFL mother that could get on a plane, and see one son play in one city, and then see another play in another city against each other. Julia Browner beat out the Olsen Family for the coveted title of "NFL Mother of the Year for 1986." She was the only mom that had four sons to play in the NFL in the same decade. About period 1992-2005 (Second Generation) When Joey and Keith were dominating the headlines in the 1983-1984 NFL draft, Max Starks' (Ross's Son) was just a baby in Orlando, living far away from the family's legend and headlines. As a youngster, his massive size over-powered the competition in soft ball, and he was unable to play T-Ball or Pee Wee Football because of his size. Eleanor, Max's mom channeled all that unused energy into academics, the family business and marital arts, as her eldest son Nick was an after-school instructor. By the time, Max's entered middle school he was a discipline and an outstanding athlete. While at Orlando Christain, he lettered in Volley Ball and Basketball and was MVP years 1993 and 1994. In 1995 at Robert Lee Middle School, Max was Basketball MVP, and won the "American Legion Award," that is reserved for Academic Leaders and Junior Community Leaders. In 1996-1997, Max's first two years of High School was spent at Jones High School in Orlando, where he lettered in Basketball,Baseball(Catcher), Football, Track and Field (Shot-Put). In 1998, Max began his toutalege under Football Coach Borky at Lake Highland Preparatory School. Max became the most successful Basketball and Football player in the school's history, and helped take his team to the the Florida Regional Championship under the watchful eyes of his coaches. Rated as one of the "Best High School Players In The Nation," Max was highly sought after by many Division One colleges. Max was a two-time All Conference in Basketball; Florida's top 30 players, Top three Lineman, named to Super Prep's, National Blue Chips and Prep All-American Team, Team USA Today Honorable Mention All-american. In 1999, Max's famous father Ross was inducted into the 1999 Notre Dame Hall of Fame and the College Hall of Fame. In 2000, when Max became a Florida Gator, Max added new pages to this long legacy. As a True Freshman, Max was making his own headlines in the infamous Sugar Bowl against Miami. Max would be the first in the family to play at University of Florida and as an Offensive Tackle. In 2001, Max was also challenge as he played in the SEC Championship against Auburn and the Orange Bowl against Maryland as a Left Tackle and a starter. In 2002, Max played in Outlaback Bowl against Michigan and Iowa in 2003, both games as a starter. Max was also the recipeint of the "Bob Bryan Student Athletic Award" and he was a finalist in the "Ben Hill Griffin Award" reserved for the the No.1 Florida Athlete that have achieved both academic and athleticism excellence." Max career at Florida (2000-2004) allowed Max's to demonstrate his versatility in the role of Offensive Tackle and Guard. After playing in both the SEC Championship, the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and the Outback Bowl, Max was drafted in 2004 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round. Ross and Max joined the ranks of father and son in the NFL -- like Archie Manning and Kellen Winslow. 2005-Present As a 2004 Pittsburgh Steeler Rookie, "Max Starks" saw much time on short shortage, and has the distinction in the family of being on a team that went 15-1 in a single season, a new AFC record. The Steelers fell short of one game against the New England Patriots. A win would have earned Max his first AFC Championship and a trip to the Super Bowl. Inspite of the lost, Max's is mindful of what it took to get to the NFL roster, play as a Rookie in his first AFC Playoff, and almost taste the AFC Championship and Super Bowl XXXIX . "This has been a lifetime dream come true for me after playing four years at University of Florida under two great coaches and mentors Coach Spurrier and Ron Zook," says Max Starks. In 2006, we expect more greatness from this family, as Timothy T.J. Vaughn, KSU (Max's cousin/Aunt Burdette son) will be eligible for the NFL draft, and Max's will pursue a starting postiion with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their future Right Tackle. Timothy (TJ) Vaughn is an alumnus from Saint Mary's High School in Stockton, Califonia. A Junior Linebacker at Kentucky State under Coach Cornell Burbage, who played with Joey Browner while at the Vikings in 1990. Team has been named to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic Football Team with a 4.0 grade point average. He is an English Education Major and a Minor in Philosphy. Don't let his intelligence and smarts fool you. On the field he is tougher than a "junk yard dog." "They call him "the force." Tim's 6 foot and 220 pounds is wickedly fast on the field. He played in all 11 games this past season as a starter for the Thoroughbreds. He had 57 tackles including 33 solos and seven for 31 yard in losses, 3 quarterback sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. He is hot and he is just getting started. Keith Browner Jr.-Enrolled at University of California and is well on his way to a stellar NCAA career that has only just begun. Browner Jr proudly wears #57 such as his dad Keith did at USC. Look for big things from Keith Jr and the California Golden Bears.
For more see : www.brownerfamily.com
Also www.joeybrowner.com