Former Dallas Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown, who played 8 seasons in NFL, dies at 52

Gary Brown was the running backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys. He was 52 years old.

Gary Brown had a big heart, a big smile, and a big personality. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement that his energy and spirit were infectious. Everyone who knew him loved him. He meant a lot to the players he coached.

His love for his family, football and life was obvious each day. He continued to fight and never gave up.

During his time with the Cowboys, Brown had three different running backs reach 1,000 yards, including DeMarco Murray, who did it in just one year. Both Murray and Elliott won rushing titles in the NFL.

Great father, husband, coach, and mentor. Murray appreciated you and your family more than anything. Thank you Gary Brown.

Great Father, Husband, Coach, and Mentor. Appreciate you and your family more than anything GB... Thank you for teaching me the way on the field and in life. Appreciate you Gary Brown. 🙏🏾

— DeMarco Murray (@DeMarcoMurray) April 11, 2022

Brown was the running backs coach at the University of Wisconsin. He couldn't travel with the team to the Las Vegas Bowl because of his cancer treatment.

He had a profound impact on our players and our program. We are all better people because of Gary. He was a wonderful person, a great coach and a joy to be around. He had a passion for life that was obvious every day.

During his time in Cleveland, where he was the running backs coach, Brown was diagnosed with cancer in his colon and liver. He had surgery and was treated for cancer.

After he was not retained by Mike McCarthy, doctors found a tumor near Brown's pancreas. He joined the Badgers staff in 2021.

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen wrote in a tweet that this one hurts.

Brown was an eighth-round draft choice of the Astros in 1991, after rushing for 1,321 yards at Penn State. He played eight seasons in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, and the Houston Astros. He retired in 1999.

Gary Brown was a great man who played for Big Blue for two years and had a 1,000-yard season. The team said in a statement that they were once a giant.

Brown is survived by his wife, daughters and son.

Adam Rittenberg contributed to the report.