The NFL is in mourning after the death of Jim Brown (February 17, 1936), legendary running back for the Cleveland Browns and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 1971.
Monique Brown, his wife, announced his death through a press release. The former NFL player passed away of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown. He died peacefully last night at our home in Los Angeles.. To the world, he was an activist, actor, and football star. To the family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken,” the statement said.
Brown played nine NFL seasons and had 12,312 rushing yards. In addition, he was champion in 1964 with the Browns after whitewashing the Baltimore Colts 27-0. Individual honors include 1957 Rookie of the Year; the MVP of 1957, 1958, 1963 and 1965; and eight NFL All-Pro First Team nominations.
His impact did not stay on the gridiron since outside he was a vocal leader for minorities. In 1967 he organized a meeting between leading African-American athletes, basketball players Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and boxer Muhammad Ali to establish his position against the Vietnam War.
In addition, he had a facet as a Hollywood actor. In 1999 he played Montezuma Monroe in the movie Any Given Sunday and in 1967 he played Robert T. Jefferson in Dirty Dozen.
IT MAY INTEREST YOU:
The NFL player who found out on social media that he had been fired
Davante Adams assures that Aaron Rodgers did not do a good WR
NFL community honors Jim Brown
The NFL community paid homage to Brown in multiple ways. Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement offering his condolences to his family and noting his impact on and off the field.
“On behalf of the NFL family, we extend our condolences to Monique and her family.Goodell said. “Jim Brown was a terrific athlete, one of the most dominant players to ever step on the field, but he was also a cultural figure who championed change.”
Besides, multiple active and retired players flooded social media with messages honoring Brownlike Barry Sanders, Tony Dorsett, Dez Bryant and others.