Lions say Canadian Football Hall of Famer Tom Brown has died at age 89

Canadian Football League logo seen on a football during CFL training camp at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ont., Sunday, May 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

By The Canadian Press

Mar 16, 2026 | 4:56 PM

VANCOUVER — Canadian Football Hall of Famer Tom Brown, a three-time CFL all-star who won a Grey Cup with the B.C. Lions in 1964, has died, the team said Monday. He was 89.

A two-time winner of the CFL’s top lineman award, Brown played in 97 regular-season games with the Lions from 1961 to 1967.

“In addition to being one of the best defensive players in our team’s history, Tom played a major role in helping the B.C. Lions take the next step in becoming champions,” Lions director of community partnerships Jamie Taras said in a statement.

Brown was a part of the Lions’ defensive unit known as the “Head Hunters.” He also played in the 1963 Grey Cup before helping the Lions win their first league championship the following year.