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Ed Brown Obituary
Brown died last Thursday in Kennewick, Wash., of prostate cancer, according to his daughter, Brooke Brownie.
Brown played 12 NFL seasons, including eight with the Chicago Bears and nearly four more with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the Bears' starting quarterback from 1955-59, playing in the 1956 NFL title game and earning a spot in two Pro Bowls while also serving as Chicago's punter.
Brown passed for 15,600 yards and 102 touchdowns in his NFL career, including a career-best 2,982 yards and 21 TDs for the Steelers in 1963.
Brown, who was born in North Carolina and attended high school in San Luis Obispo, led San Francisco to a 9-0 record in his senior year of 1951. He earned the nickname "All-Around Brown" while playing quarterback, kicker and punter for a team that included Pro Football Hall of Famers Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson and Bob St. Clair.
The Dons then received praise for refusing to drop their two black players in order to receive a bowl bid, as was required by most major bowl games at the time. San Francisco shut down its football program after the season, citing the high costs.
Brown served two years in the Marines before joining the Bears as a sixth-round pick. After leaving the NFL in 1965, he ran a business for 13 years.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
21 Entries
RLR M-T
October 18, 2019
It was a pleasure to meet you. Wish it could have been sooner.. Thank you Brooke for extending your friendship and introducing me to those in your life that you love. Blessings to all the NFL coaches players owners including my extended cousin Jon Kolb, a Multi SB player as a Steeler. Rebecca RMT
Carol Martin
October 16, 2010
To the Brown family,
As Ed's birthday approaches, may we all find comfort in knowing he is free of pain and he will be celebrating with his parents in God's loving care.
Scott Sickich
August 25, 2008
My condolences to Ed Brown and his loved ones. I knew Ed from SLO and the Avila Beach area in CA. Ed played golf regularly at Avila which, is where I met him. He was a true gentleman and I am saddened by his passing.
How you can show support
Wanisha
July 18, 2008
The pain of loosing a loved one is never easy to get over. But the Almighty God is not far from you. He can be a source of comfort to you.
"[God] comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God." - 2 Corinthians 1:4
Jim Smith
February 5, 2008
To the Ed Brown Family:
Our condolences to the family on the passing of Ed, we (Brad Fleisch, Perry Pederson and me) have put together an essay on Ed in nomination of him to the San Luis Obispo High School, Wall of Fame. It is long over due that SLOHS greatest football player has not been nominated until now, but in our and the school’s defense the concept and nomination process was only begun this year.
We struggled to put into words the dynamic personality that made Ed who he was, and in such a short essay it was impossible to capture his unique personality and all of his accomplishments. However, I’m not disappointed because Ed was something to experience and as we discovered so much harder to define.
This body of work on Ed Brown falls far short of the essence of the man, but was the best we could do for such a complex and unique personality. I hope the family will let us use the photo of Ed with the nomination in order to let football fans know that, New England may have #12Tom Brady, but the Chicago Bears and San Luis High had #15 Ed all around Brown.
Rest in Peace, Brad, Perry & Jim
Charles Edward Brown
SLOHS Class of 1947? nominaton essay
Ed Brown as he was known in San Luis earned the nickname of “All-Around Brown” playing quarterback, receiver, defensive back, kicker and punter during his playing days at San Luis High, the University of San Francisco and in the NFL.
(His University of San Francisco Don’s football team of 1951 finished the season undefeated 9-0. The college football sports writers’ and aficionados’ of the day called the team “if not the greatest-ever, definitely, the greatest collection of All Pros from one college team.” The 1951 USF football team had 10 players drafted into the NFL, 9 who played, 5 would become All Pro and 3 of which are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Gino Marchetti, Olli Matson and Bob St. Clara. A book published in 2002 by Dr. Kristen Setting Clark, Undefeated-Untied and Uninvited truly defines the character of the 1951 USF football team. More importantly it defines the meaning of honor, commitment, integrity and TEAM. A must read for very SLO Tiger who wears the Black & Gold.)
Ed Brown was drafted in the sixth round of the 1952 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. He would serve two-years in the Marine Corps before reporting to the Bears in 1954. Ed was the Bears’ starting quarterback from 1955-59, playing in the NFL title game in 1956 and selected for two Pro Bowls. He was the first Bear quarterback in history to lead the NFL in pass rating 83.1 (1956).
Brown played 12 seasons in the NFL, eight with Bears and four with the Pittsburgh Steelers completing the last part of his 12th season with the Baltimore Colts. During his 12 seasons in the NFL, Ed Brown passed for 15,600 yards and 102 touchdowns, rushed for 960 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, punted 498 times for a career 40.5 yards per punt average. His best season was in 1963 for the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he threw for 2.982 yards and 21 touchdowns- Ed still holds a NFL record of sorts, of all NFL quarterbacks to pass for more than 15,000 yards, he has the highest yards per completion average at 16.44.
Ed Brown was blessed with Movie Star looks and the body of a Heavy-Weight boxer, forearms like tree trunks, he was like no-other person you ever met. He loved to play and talk about golf and authored some of the greatest golf-lines that can never be put into print. The two-time All Pro, All Star, All Everything, All-Around Brown who was born to play football, but was as humble as a water boy. His polite, gentile and fun loving nature was never confused as weakness by those of us who knew him.
Ed the All Pro, All-Around Brown passed-away in Kennewick, Washington on August 2, 2007 and is buried in the place he called home for most of his life, San Luis Obispo. He is a member of the USF Hall of Fame (Football), and is regarded as San Luis Obispo High School’s greatest football player.
Regis Cmar
August 11, 2007
I remember you as a youth in Pittsburgh, as you gave my team, the Steelers, a great effort in those pre-Super Bowl years. And according to the legends that have grown up over the years, you were a great guy, too, a great fit for Pitsburgh. You are remembered fondly, and I pray for you to be well forever with Our Lord.
Mike Dugan
August 10, 2007
Mr. Brown you gave us NFL fans joy with your outstanding player at QB.
As a youngster growing up in Indiana I was lucky enough to collect your football cards.
May God bless the Brown family in the days ahead.
Art Ruiz
August 10, 2007
Dear Ed: Me and my Military Buddies
will miss you. We'll have the memories of your games in L. A. plus weekend touch football at SLO High School in your young days with Doug Black, Wylie Roberts, Johnny Tharp, Bono, &I many others. You were a cool buddy to us all and God wlll reward you. Take care!
A face to go with my condolances.
Edward Nadau du Treil
August 10, 2007
Just a just a 75 year old unknown fan and admirer of Ed. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I always want to meet him in person. At my age I may soon have that chance when we meet in the arms of our heavenly life with God.
darryl rogers sr.
August 9, 2007
I thank God For Ed " All Around Brown " whom i admired during my youth. He was unique in his own way. I tried my best to be like him and play as many positions as i could and in all sports. The reality is that I got a chance to play more often.....which is what i feel Ed wanted. Just to be on the field helping the team win. He will always be remembered here in my heart. Rest in Peace. We all will miss him and we all l him but, God has taken a favorite Son Home. Thank God for the time we shared and the blessing Ed gave me a chance to explore.
darryl rogers sr.
August 9, 2007
I thank God For Ed " All Around Brown " whom i admired during my youth. He was unique in his own way. I tried my best to be like him and play as many positions as i could and in all sports. The reality is that I got a chance to play more often.....which is what i feel Ed wanted. Just to be on the field helping the team win. He will always be remembered here in my heart. Rest in Peace. We all will miss him and we all loved him but, God has taken a favorite Son Home. Thank God for the time we shared and the blessing Ed gave me a chance to explore.
David Hamilton
August 8, 2007
I think everyone that knew Ed would have to say he was without a doubt the most upbeat positive person who could make any situation tolerable at worst and truly enjoyable at best.
Quite a guy.
My good fortune for having known him.
Catherine
August 8, 2007
My Father was a Chicago Bears Fan and I know he spoke of Ed Brown. My Father played football in high school when he was a young man. I hope they meet in heaven and form a team.
Sheila Smith
August 8, 2007
Rest in Peace Ed.
Richard Goodrich
August 8, 2007
My condolences to the Brown Family on the passing of Ed. I was born in 1951,and my first recollections of the NFL were on the old Giants and Eagles, since I lived in CT.! But my Dad would tell me of the best NFL QB's in 1958 or 1959...and I always remembered he would mention Ed Brown among the best of players at QB. What he said always stuck with me, which is why I wanted to remember him today. He had an affect on this "kid"! My sincere condolences to you all!!
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
August 8, 2007
REST IN PEACE ED BROWN
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