March 20, 2026 — 7:27pm
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Jonathan Brown, a former captain of the Brisbane Lions who won three premierships with the side, had surgery on a low-grade brain tumour after a routine scan found a shadow on his brain.
On Friday afternoon Brown shared a picture from his hospital bed, showing a bandage on his head, as he embraced his wife Kylie Brown.
The 44-year-old said he underwent the surgery on Wednesday and had “a positive outcome”.
“I understand a surgery of this nature creates interest and once I have recuperated, I will share my experience but for now I need to take some time to rest and recover,” he wrote in the post.
The 256-game veteran played in four consecutive grand finals including the premiership-winning teams of 2001, 2002 and 2003.
He retired in 2014, having suffered multiple head injuries over his 14-year career, saying at the time that his health was “not worth risking”.
Known for his hardness and courage, the decorated player kicked 594 goals over his career.
He was the Lions’ best and fairest three times, a two-time All-Australian, and won the Coleman Medal in 2007.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon, who commentates on Fox Footy alongside Brown, told Kayo Sports’ Friday Night Football he sent his support.
“We’re throwing our thoughts out to one of our great mates,” Lyon said, adding that Brown had had “a pretty challenging week”.
“I spoke to him about two hours ago and he was in the car and full of beans, bouncing around talking to Kylie and annoying her,” he said.
“So on behalf of all of us at Fox Footy and the broader footy community, there has been few more popular players than Jonathan Brown and few tougher. We send you our love, big fella.
“Take it easy, rest up, recuperate and we look forward to seeing your ugly mug back on here in the not too distant future.”
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