Former Jets quarterback Browning Nagle died this week after a battle with colon cancer.
He was 57.
Nagle came to Gang Green following a standout career at Louisville, where he threw for 4,653 yards and 32 touchdowns over two seasons as a starter under Howard Schnellenberger.
He led the Cardinals to a 1991 Fiesta Bowl win over Alabama in which he posted a program-record 451 yards and three touchdowns, earning MVP honors for his efforts.
His NFL career looked to continue the fanfare when he was drafted in with the No. 34 pick in 1991 — one slot behind future Hall of Fame Brett Favre.
Nagle tantalized a Jets nation yearning for its next Joe Namath with his first NFL start in 1992, throwing for 366 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Falcons, but the good times were few and far between in a 3-10 season that never approached that high again.
He was released ahead of the 1994 season, finishing his Gang Green tenure with 2,361 passing yards and eight touchdowns to go with 20 interceptions, completing just 49.4% of his passes over 18 total games.
Nagle caught on with the Colts in 1994, playing behind Jim Harbaugh and Don Majkowski, making an appearance in the final game of the season — his last NFL action until five appearance in mop-up duty for the 3-13 Falcons in 1996.
He resurfaced in the Arena Football League, tossing 74 touchdown passes with the Orlando Predators after signing with them in 1999.
After his playing days ended, he returned to Louisville, opting for a career in medical sales and building a family with his wife, Mallie Jo, according to WDRB.
“We are saddened by the passing of Browning Nagle, former Fiesta Bowl MVP quarterback and Louisville great,” Louisville football wrote in a statement on X. “His leadership on the field and passion for the game left a lasting mark on our program.
“Our thoughts are with his loved ones and teammates during this difficult time.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
