From his trademark hockey elbow pads to the pain he inflicted with the arms they covered, safety Joey Browner became one of the top defensive backs of his generation. More than 20 years after retiring, he’ll join the Vikings’ all-time greats in their Ring of Honor.
Browner becomes the 21st member of the group at halftime of the Sunday night home game against the Packers, to be played on October 31. The team announced the plans on Friday.
A member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1980s, Browner went to six straight Pro Bowls, from 1985 to 1990.
The others already in the Ring of Honor are Fran Tarkenton, Alan Page, Jim Finks, Bud Grant, Paul Krause, Fred Zamberletti, Jim Marshall, Ron Yary, Korey Stringer, Mick Tingelhoff, Carl Eller, Cris Carter, Bill Brown, Jerry Burns, Randall McDaniel, Chuck Foreman, John Randle, Scott Studwell, Chris Doleman, and Matt Blair.
Others who eventually will or should be include Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss, Matt Birk, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Chad Greenway, and Dennis Green.