Timothy Brown's Death Mourned by NFL and 'MASH' Fans
Timothy Brown, a former NFL running back and actor, died on April 4 after suffering from dementia. [...]
Sylvester Stallone has a message for all you @Eagles fans: "Keep punching, Philly!" https://t.co/I56lgw5J9v pic.twitter.com/w4mQSdmYCT
— Action News on 6abc (@6abc) January 23, 2018
One interesting detail that arose following Brown's death is that he impacted a future star in Hollywood. The Philadelphia Inquirer's obituary revealed that Sylvester Stallone looked up to Brown and called him his "boyhood hero." The Eagles actually used this information in 2003 when they opened Lincoln Financial Field. Stallone was on hand for the celebration and was wearing a No. 22 jersey.
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He and Ugly John just disappeared after season one. Shame. Added needed diversity to the show. The Korean War has soldiers from all over the world but everyone on MASH was from the States.
— @graphartist (@graphartist) April 8, 2020
Many fans of the show made it very clear that they missed Brown. He only appeared in one season of M*A*S*H but then simply disappeared from the cast. They didn't have a reason why, but they were forever saddened by this change to the show. These fans wanted more Spearchucker.
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What?! Not Spearchucker!!!
— Wicca Queen (@Ash17761863) April 7, 2020
Brown appeared in multiple projects throughout his acting career. This includes Gus, Nashville and T.J. Hooker. However, he drew the most attention for his work on M*A*S*H. The former NFL star portrayed Cpl. Judson in the 1970 movie, but he switched to a different character on the show. He played the role of Capt. Oliver Harmon "Spearchucker" Jones.
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Brown is the only player in Philadelphia history to return a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown, and the only Eagle to return two kickoffs, 90/93-yarders for touchdowns in the same game. RIP Spearchucker
— Cliff Scowen (@scooperzed666) April 7, 2020
Many M*A*S*H fans made it quite clear that they were fans of Brown's work both on the football field and on the TV screen. They rooted for him as he helped the team secure two NFL Championships and then later grew entertained by his acting skills. Although they never forgot some of the impressive stats that he compiled.
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Old enough to remember him and the dirty hits the cowboys did to him.
— J.P. Shepard (@ruinsofegypt) April 7, 2020
Many fans were introduced to Brown's playmaking ability when he returned two kicks for touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys. The players that witnessed this production firsthand were upset and decided to use some less-than-honorable tactics the next time they faced off with Brown. Lee Roy Jordan hit Brown in the face with an elbow after an incomplete pass, knocking out nine teeth and giving him a concussion.
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Rest in peace, Timmy Brown---native Hoosier, elusive halfback/return man and three-time Pro Bowl player. Brown ended his NFL career with the '68 NFL champion Baltimore Colts before moving on to Hollywood.
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) April 7, 2020
Brown made his name known as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he finished his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was traded to Robert Irsay's team in 1968 and helped them reach Super Bowl III. Brown later retired following the loss to the Jets and quarterback Joe Namath and headed to Hollywood to start his acting career.
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Timmy Brown was a huge part of my early Eagles-fandom in the early 60s. Terrific player. Exciting player. And, in the film M*A*S*H, he had a very funny ball carrying scene. RIP 22. https://t.co/nxirHuMRhv
— Dave Sims (@TheDaveSimsShow) April 7, 2020
Brown was viewed as someone that helped create an entire generation of fans with his plays. Whether it was professional wrestler the Blue Meanie or Eagles sideline reporter Howard Eskin, there was a multitude of supporters that remembered the way Brown changed the NFL. In fact, Brown was so productive that his 62 touchdowns are the sixth-most in Eagles history.
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