M*A*S*H actor Timothy Brown, who played in the NFL for 10 years, dies aged 82

M*A*S*H star and former NFL running back Timothy Brown has died aged 82.

Brown passed away in Palm Springs, California – where he lived with his son Sean – on April 4, after suffering complications from dementia.

Confirming the news, Sean said of his father: ‘He was such a kind, warm person. He was a really good man… there was no facade, no fakeness.

‘He had a very tough childhood, so he made sure that I had a very happy, very good one.’ he told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

After his sporting and acting career Timothy had become a correctional officer in Los Angeles before retiring in Palm Springs.   

During his NFL career, which began in 1959 and spanned 10 years, Timothy had played for the Green Bay Packers, Philedelphia Eagles and Baltimore Colts.

Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement: ‘Timmy Brown was an all-time great Eagle and one of the most dynamic multipurpose players of his era. He overcame many obstacles in his life to enjoy success both as an athlete and as an entertainer,’

Colts owner Jim Irsay paid tribute to the star on Twitter, writing: 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.’

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer Brown played with the Eagles in the 1960 NFL title game against the Packers. In 1966, he became the first player to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game.

Later in his career he had nine teeth knocked out and suffered a concussion when he took a hit to the face by Dallas Cowboys defender Lee Roy Jordan.

Sean believes the impacts his father suffered in his NFL career contributed to his dementia, according to the Inquirer.

Former NFL broadcaster Dave Sims took to Twitter to post a video with highlights from Brown’s career. 

The Indiana-born star began his acting career appearing on an episode of the TV series The Wild Wild West in 1967 while he was still a football player.

In the movie version of M*A*S*H in 1970 Brown played Corporal Judson and then went on to play Capt. Oliver Jones in the TV series. The character had been played in the movie by another former NFL player, Fred Williamson. 

Along with MASH, Brown starred in several other movies including Nashville (1975), Sweet Sugar and Black Gunn (both 1972), and Dynamite Brothers (1974). 

Timothy’s character was written out of the show after the first season. 

Timothy is survived by his son, two grandchildren and a sister.