Less Browne

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Less Browne was born on December 7, 1959 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Less was the youngest of six children born to Edna and Lewis Browne. His brothers and sisters are Carol, Nelson (Sonny), Rose, Janet and Jerry. Less attended East Liverpool High School where he excelled in basketball, football, baseball and track. Basketball was his true love, but his destiny was football.. He played the defensive back position at Colorado State University. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL in 1984 in the 13th round. Later that year (in April 1984) he signed as a free agent with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“He was a rare football commodity, a defensive player who could single-handedly affect the outcome of a game.”

He had two stellar years in 1985 and 1986, with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, winning defensive back, All-Eastern and CFL All-Star awards. Browne then moved to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he played from 1989 to 1991. Continuing his incredible playing career, Browne received All-Star awards as a Blue Bomber in 1990 and 1991. In 1990 and 1991 he set the CFL record for most interception return yards with 273 and 267 respectively.

Moving back to the eastern conference in 1992, Browne played with the Ottawa Rough Riders for one season and for the third time set a CFL record for most interception return yards in a season with 259. Browne closed out his CFL career as a B.C. Lion where he played from 1993 to 1994 setting even more CFL records. Browne still holds the CFL and Pro-football records for most interceptions all-time, regular season with 87 and again CFL and Pro-football records for most interception return yards, all-time regular season with 1,508.

Less holds the team records for most interceptions in a season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1990 with 14 interceptions, the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1992 with 11 interceptions and with the B.C. Lions in 1994 with 11 interceptions. In his last five years in the CFL, Less led the league in interceptions for four of those years.

Less Browne finished his career on a winning note as a member of the 1994 B.C. Lions Grey Cup Team, defeating the Baltimore Stallions 24–23.

Less spent 1995 and 1996 focusing on family, friends and health. But football had not left him.

In 1997, Less joined TSN (Canada’s version of ESPN) as a Sports Analyst and stayed on for two years. In that role he displayed his insightful football knowledge, wise game analysis and, with his sharp clothing, his ability to style and profile with anybody.

Less was a gifted CFL veteran who used passion and intensity to fuel the skill and knowledge he brought to the game. He showed us personally as a player and then taught it to others as a coach.

During those same two seasons he was on TSN, Less was a guest coach with Dave Ritchie and the Montreal Alouettes. Also, in 1997, Less also filled in as defensive backs coach with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after the release of head coach Don Sutherin and his staff.

In 1999, Less signed on with Winnipeg once again and with Dave Ritchie (his coach in Ottawa, Winnipeg and B.C.). This time he signed on as a coach, the Linebacker coach. “He brings a level of fire, intensity and commitment to football coaching that many athletes aren't able to muster as players”, and he was just beginning.

In his first year as the Linebacker Coach, 1999, one of his players, Antonio Armstrong was named CFL Defensive Player of the Year. In 2000, another one of Less’ players, Mo Kelly, won the same award, the CFL Defensive player of the Year. In 2001 and 2002 the Bomber Defense was ranked number one in Fewest First Downs Allowed, Fewest 1st Down Rushing Yards Allowed, Fewest Total Yards Allowed and Fewest Average Yards Allowed per game. From 2000 through 2003, he was the mastermind behind the best linebacker corps in the CFL; with Brian Clark, Lamar McGriggs and Ryland Wickman.

In 2004, Less moved into the Defensive Back coaching position where he finished out his tenure in Winnipeg.

During his six years coaching in Winnipeg, the team record was 58-50. The Blue Bombers made the playoffs in four of those six years, including one Grey Cup appearance.

After 21 years in the CFL, Less knew it was time to go home and spend more time with his wife of 14 years, Enza, and his two boys, Anthony and Adrian. Less enjoys playing golf, and is an experienced horse rider. His focus changed from the professional game to his family and his community, but his love of sports and the lessons he learned were still a big part of him. Less felt compelled to give something back.

Less began his public speaking career in 1995, speaking to youth groups. Teaching them some of life’s lessons about setting high goals for yourself and making them worth achieving. He actively speaks to groups about performing under pressure, team playing and being a role model.

His prowess on the gridiron was recognized in 2002 with his induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Less was voted 23rd in TSN’s CFL’s All-Time Top 50 Players.

Less can be found these days somewhere around Hamilton making appearances at local events, speaking to groups, or coaching junior football or CYO basketball. The man may have left the sport, but the sport has not left the man … be the man.

Awards and Honours:
CFL All-Star (Defensive Back) - 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994
Eastern All-Star (Defensive Back) - 1985, 1986, 1992
Western All-Star (Defensive Back) - 1990, 1991, 1994
Nominee for Schenley Most Outstanding Defensive Player 1986, 1994

Grey Cup Participation - 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1994
Grey Cup Winning Teams - 1986, 1990, 1994

CFL Hall of Fame Inductee – 2002

Voted 23rd on TSN—Top 50 CFL All-Time Players—2006