Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones issued a statement on the death of former Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown, who is remembered fondly by Jones.
The abrupt April 9 passing of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins saddened the entire league, with former teammates and fellow NFL players reacting to the news with heartbreak. One day later, the NFL lost another former player and coach to a battle with cancer. On April 10, former NFL running back and Dallas Cowboys runnings backs coach Gary Brown passed away after several weeks of hospice care in his hometown of WIlliamsport, Pennsylvania.
The passing of Brown affected many throughout the Cowboys organization, with Cowboys media and ownership responding to the saddening news. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released his own personal statement.
“Gary Brown had a big heart partnered with a big smile and a big personality,” Jones’ statement began. “He lit up every room he walked into and and touched the lives of those who knew him in such a positive way. Everyone who knew him, loved him.”
Jerry Jones joins Dallas journalists in commemorating former Cowboys coach Gary Brown
Jones was far from the only person who commemorated Brown with cherished memories of the six-year Cowboys running backs coach.
There was an outpour of love and admiration from those who knew Brown personally, all of whom illustrated how the jovial player and coach touched their lives over the years.
When Brown was unsure whether or not he would return to the Cowboys, he made a point to express his gratitude to the Cowboys running backs, offering support to them if they ever needed it.
“If they don’t bring me back, man, it was a pleasure,” Brown told the group as Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard sat alongside him. “I mean, you guys made my life better… I love each and every one of you guys like you’re my sons. Whatever y’all need from me, let me know.”
Most recently, Brown was the running backs coach for the Wisconsin Badgers, joining the team in March 2021. Before Brown enjoyed his position with the Cowboys, he was a talented NFL running back who played from 1991-1999.
In the 1990s, Brown played for the Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers and New York Giants, rushing for 4,300 career yards over his nine-year career.
According to Bleacher Report, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus “reported he was diagnosed with cancer in his colon and liver when he was on Cleveland’s coaching staff but was declared healthy following chemotherapy and surgery. Brown was then diagnosed with cancer again following the 2019 season when doctors discovered a malignant tumor near his pancreas.”