Today in Philly Sports History: Jerome Brown Dies, 1992

Jerome Brown was coming off two consecutive all-pro seasons as a defensive tackle for the Eagles in 1992, collecting a stunning 150 tackles and nine sacks in the 1991 season alone. He was one of the anchors of a Philly defense that was the beast of the league at the time, including future Hall of Famer Reggie White and fellow all-pros and/or Pro Bowlers Clyde Simmons, Andre Waters and Seth Joyner, and was a much-loved clubhouse presence as well. But on June 25th, 1992, Brown's stay with the Eagles was tragically cut short as he was driving with his young nephew, and his car skidded, hit a palm tree and flipped over. Both Brown and his nephew were killed.

The team was devestated.  "I don't know what the hell to say," said then-Eagles tackle Mike Golic at a meeting at the Vet. "Forget all of the football. He was a great friend...At this point, I don't give a damn about football. We've lost a friend." White concurred, tearfully referring to Brown as "one of the greatest men I ever knew in my life." The Eagles would use Brown's death as a rallying point for the 1992 season, as his #99 was retired in a pre-game ceremony before the opening game, and a "Bring it Home For Jerome" motto began to define the season. Needless to say, the season did not end in a Super Bowl for the Eagles, but they ended the season with an 11-5 record, and got their first playoff victory of the decade with a 36-20 victory over the New Orleans Saints, before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys.

Brown's death remains one of the dark days in Eagles franchise history, and likely a very emotional one for those of you old enough to remember it.

Comments

[Jocksniffer]

BRING IT HOME FOR JEROME.

[Bernie215]

wow i cant believe that was 17 years ago...

[Estebomb]

So sad...the man was a great player. I only barely remember this from when it actually happened as I was only 8 years old and not really concerned with football yet. Just a tragedy; the man had his whole life ahead of him still. RIP Jerome.

[Matt Kwasiborski]

One of the saddest days in Philly sports history. Jerome was loved by everybody and brought a swagger to a team that has been basically vanilla. His swagger/confidence just raised the level of play in that entire defense. That was an amazing defense. He is still sorely missed and would have been an HOFer!

Philly lost two potential GOAT players in a span of 7-8 years in Pelle and Brown. Both were the best at their positions.

And even though Braman was notoriously cheap (all you Lurie bashers must have amnesia or are too young to remember the guy in France) you wonder if Brown lived would he have made more of an effort to keep Reggie, Seth, et al?

[h3bru]

/cry

Although I was young at the time, it still hurts

[Mike]

That team was never the same after Jerome died. I vividly remember that day. Not good times.

[Chris]

I can't believe it's been 17 years. I still remember that day very well. Not too proud to say that I cried.

[Michelle]

Thank you all for remembering Jerome today (and everyday). The following is a post I wrote on my Facebook Page to share because Jerome and I had many mutual friends...

It's hard to believe that today it is 17 years since we all lost a very special man. He was a brother, a teammate, a rival, a mentor, and a friend to all of us. It is still so hard for me to believe Jerome is gone and absolutely hard for me to accept it. Time softens the loss slightly, but certainly doesn't make it disappear.

I don't have to tell any of you who knew him about Jerome's character. He was, in every way, the "Real Deal." So full of life, love and generousity toward every person he ever met (except for, perhaps, some Notre Dame and Penn State players and fans).

I can certainly thank Jerome for some of my most important life lessons. A gentle giant, who always placed his family and friends first, he had a glow that was impossible to miss. And though outspoken, it was what he didn't say that sometimes impacted people most. He held my hand whe I cried, he hugged me even when I didn't want him to and he had a way of calling me at just the right time.

I learned shortly after I met him, that he had a talent for scoping out people's needs and trying to fill them. For me, as a broke college student, I learned not to leave bills laying around when he was at my apartment, because they would curiously disappear and be paid. Jerome is also the first person who encouraged me to go to law school and become a lawyer...of course, it was in his own way, "God, Michelle, you really like to talk a lot...you should be a lawyer!" But then he kept at me, and I am glad to say, I listened and followed his suggestion.

When he would do things like steal my phone bill and pay it or bring food to my roommate and me...I would always tell him that he didn't have to those things. Finally, he got sick of me telling him that and I clearly remember the day he sat me down on the couch and said, "Michelle, I do it because I can...because I want to...all I ask is that when you are in the same position, you do the same thing for someone else...Fair?" Fair enough, Jerome. Fair enough.

Above else, I truly took those words to heart. I am sure I am not the only person he said this to...I see some many of his friends doing things to honor his memory. Football clinics, Community Centers, Golf Tournaments. All are such wonderful tributes to Jerome and his memory. But the best part is that any of us can equally honor his memory but simply doing what he asked...extend a helping hand to someone when you are able to do so. That in a nutshell is Jerome Brown's legacy. Standing up for the "little guy" in the most simple of ways...with your kindness and character.

I miss Jerome so much, it is hard to keep the tears from streaming down my face when I think of him, but then I catch myself and remember his infectious laughter...the one that sometimes sounded like a giggle that should come from a 13 year old girl instead his massive frame...and I remember that he would all want us to remember the good times and laughs.

So, if you will, today, let's all raise a glass and toast to our friend, Jerome Brown with a smile on our faces...the way he would want is all to do. Cheers, Jerome, Cheers!