The AFL world is wrapping its arms around Jonathan Brown after the Brisbane Lions champion revealed he’d undergone surgery to remove a low-grade brain tumour. The popular Fox Footy analyst, who played 256 AFL games for the Lions, posted a photo on social media on Friday of him and wife Kylie in hospital.
Brown wrote: “After undergoing a routine scan, I was recently made aware of a shadow on my brain that turned out to be a low-grade brain tumour. I underwent surgery Wednesday with a positive outcome.
“I understand a surgery of this nature creates interest and once I have recuperated, I will share my experience, but for now I need to take some time to rest and recover.”
On Fox Footy before Friday night’s game between Adelaide and Western Bulldogs, colleague Garry Lyon sent a message of support. “We’re throwing our thoughts out to one of our great mates Jonathan Brown, who sits on this panel and has done for a long, long time, and one of the all-time favourites at Fox Footy,” Lyon said.
Jonathan Brown with Brisbane Lions player Cam Rayner after the 2025 AFL grand final.
(AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“He’s at home watching this, making a nuisance of himself with the beautiful Kylie, but he’s had a pretty challenging week or so. He underwent surgery on Wednesday and had a really positive outcome. Spoke to him about two hours ago, he was in the car, he was full of beans, bouncing around talking to Kylie.
“On behalf of all of us at Fox Footy and the broader footy community – there have been few more popular players than Jonathan Brown, and there’s few tougher – we send you our love, big fella. Take it easy, rest up, recuperate, we look forward to seeing your big ugly mug back on here in the not-too-distant future.”
AFL world showers Jonathan Brown with support
James Brayshaw said on Channel 7: “To Jono, his beautiful wife Kylie, their kids and (father) Brian, who will be watching at home, and the brothers, we wish them well from everyone here at the Seven Network.” The Brisbane Lions posted a love heart emoji on Brown’s post, while Joel Selwood, Jeremy Cameron, Sam Docherty, Abbey Holmes, Tom Hawkins and Billy Brownless were among the many to send messages of support.
Brown has been working with Fox Footy since 2015. He led the Lions to three-straight premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003, and last year was given the honour of presenting the cup when Brisbane won the fla.