WARREN — A member of Warren’s greatest sports family has died.

Jimmie L. Browner Jr., who played for Warren Western Reserve, before eventually going on to play college football at Notre Dame and soon thereafter in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, died March 6 just outside of Atlanta, Ga. He was 68.

Jimmie’s passing was confirmed Friday by one of his surviving brothers, Keith, and former Warren G. Harding 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.”

Born on Dec. 4, 1955 in Warren, Jimmie was a part of Warren Western Reserve’s state championship football team in 1972 and its state runner-up team that lost to late legendary coach Don Bucci’s Cardinal Mooney Cardinals in 1973.

After graduating from WWR, Jimmie played at Notre Dame for four years. As a freshman, Jimmie played running back for the Fighting Irish, rushing for 394 yards and two touchdowns. He then made the move to defensive back for his final three seasons in South Bend.

He started all 11 games as a sophomore, junior and senior, compiling five interceptions during those 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.

In the 1979 NFL Draft, Jimmie was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 12th round with the 304th overall pick. He played in 18 games during his two seasons with the 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.

Jimmie’s older brother Ross died in January 2022 from complications of COVID-19. Jimmie played one season with Ross during his time with the Bengals. Jimmie’s other brothers, Keith and Joey, also played in the NFL.

Have an interesting story? Contact the newsroom by email at news@vindy.com Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @TribToday.