Kippy Brown, football pioneer and NFL coach, dies at 71

Kippy Brown, a pioneering football player and veteran coach, has passed away at the age of 71.

Brown was a historic figure in college football, serving as the first Black quarterback in the history of Memphis (then Memphis State) football. During his tenure with the Tigers from 1974 to 1977, he led the team to a notable upset victory over No. 7 Auburn and helped ensure the program never had a losing season during his four years. He was a member of both the M Club Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

His professional coaching career spanned several decades and included roles in both college and the NFL. He served as a coach for the XFL’s Memphis Maniax and worked with eight different NFL franchises, including the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks. Notably, he was a wide receivers coach for the Seattle Seahawks during their 2014 Super Bowl championship season. Throughout his career, he coached numerous prominent players such as Dan Marino, Marshawn Lynch, and Calvin Johnson.