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Less Browne - Defensive Back -
1984-88 - Colorado State
-
Ohio Valley Athlet ic
Conference Hall of Fame
Less Browne (East Liverpool
High School, Class of 1979). From Columbiana County, to Colorado, to
Canada, Browne was an all-star football player at every stop.
Browne was a three-sport standout at East Liverpool, with football being
his forte.
His grid heroics are highlighted by eight kickoff or punt returns for
touchdowns under the late Ted Maley. In his senior year at East Liverpool,
Browne rushed for 992 yards and scored 56 points in earning second-team
all-Ohio honors.
Browne was also a standout basketball player and sprinter for the Potters
while also owning the distinction of being his senior class president. He
was chosen East Liverpool Review “Player of the Year” in 1978.
The versatile gridder was recruited to Colorado State as a running back.
He quickly and seamlessly made the transition to defensive back, starting
in the Rams’ secondary for three years. The 5 ft. 11, 170-pounder led
Colorado State in interceptions in 1980.
|
Less Browne |
|
Colorado St. |
|
Yr |
Team |
Int |
Yds |
Avg |
TD |
Lg |
|
1984 |
Ham |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1985 |
Ham |
12 |
166 |
13.8 |
0 |
34 |
|
1986 |
Ham |
8 |
128 |
16.0 |
1 |
42 |
|
1987 |
Ham |
5 |
32 |
6.4 |
0 |
19 |
|
1988 |
Ham |
8 |
90 |
11.3 |
0 |
27 |
|
1989 |
Wpg |
3 |
31 |
10.3 |
0 |
19 |
|
1990 |
Wpg |
14 |
273 |
19.5 |
1 |
45 |
|
1991 |
Wpg |
10 |
267 |
26.7 |
0 |
55 |
|
1992 |
Ott |
11 |
259 |
23.5 |
0 |
76 |
|
1993 |
BC |
5 |
140 |
28.0 |
1 |
52 |
|
Total |
14 |
76 |
1386 |
18.2 |
3 |
76 |
Following his stellar collegiate career Less was drafted by the Pittsburgh
Maulers of the USFL be he elected to go north. Browne signed as a free
agent with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1984 and he wasted no time making
his presence felt north of the border. He earned all-Eastern and CFL
all-star awards as a defensive back in 1985 and 1986. Browne moved on to
star for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1989-91. During the latter two
years, he established CFL records for most interception return yards in a
season with 273 and 267, respectively.
After one year with the
Ottawa Rough Riders, one in which he again led the league in interception
return yardage, Browne closed out his CFL career with the British Columbia
Lions in 1994. The Lions captured the coveted Grey Cup that season.
Browne's final game as a professional was the Lions thrilling last second
victory over Baltimore.
Browne set league records for
most career interceptions (87) and most regular-season interception return
yardage (1,508). After his playing days, Browne went on to serve as an
assistant coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Halls of Fame are nothing new to Browne. He was inducted into the East
Liverpool Hall of Fame in 1993 and he was later inducted into the Canadian
Football Hall of Fame.
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