Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown has died at the age of 87.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown,” Monique Brown said in a statement. “He passed peacefully last night at our LA home. To the world he was an activist, actor, and football star. To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken.”
Brown is one of the greatest running backs of all time, having won three MVPs (including in his rookie season in 1957) and being named an All-Pro in each of his nine NFL seasons, eight of which he was a First-teamer. He was the sixth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft out of Syracuse.
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Jim Brown #32 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball in a late circa 1950’s NFL football game. Brown played for the Browns from 1957-1965. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Brown led the NFL in rushing yards in every season he played but one, and also had the most rushing touchdowns on five occasions.
His 106 rushing touchdowns are the sixth-most all-time, and his 12,312 rushing yards rank the 11th most in NFL history.
Brown retired after 1965, another season in which he was a First-team All-Pro, to pursue acting and civil rights activism. He appeared in more than 30 films.
Jim Brown, former running back for the Cleveland Browns and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, looks on from the sideline before a National Football League game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on November 15, 2015, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 30-9. (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
“It’s impossible to describe the profound love and gratitude we feel for having the opportunity to be a small piece of Jim’s incredible life and legacy. We mourn his passing, but celebrate the indelible light he brought to the world,” the Browns said in a statement.
“Our hearts are with Jim’s family, loved ones, and all those he impacted along the way.”
“One of the greatest players in NFL history, a true pioneer and activist. Jim Brown’s legacy will live on forever,” the NFL said.
(Original Caption) Jim Brown (32) has just taken hand off from Quarterback Frank Ryan (13) in game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Getty Images)
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He was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and won the NFL championship in 1964.
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