The passing of Jim Brown in Los Angeles was announced by his wife, Monique, leaving behind a legacy that continues to uphold his status as one of the greatest football players of all time. Despite a relatively short nine-year tenure as an NFL fullback, Brown’s decision to walk away from the game during his prime in 1966 to pursue an acting career did not diminish his legendary status. Moreover, he became renowned as a social activist, actively involved in the civil rights movement and dedicated to working with inner-city gangs. At the age of 87, Jim Brown’s remarkable journey came to a close, leaving an indelible mark on the world of football and beyond.

“It is with profound sadness that I announced the passing of my husband, Jim Brown,” Monique wrote on Instagram. “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.”

Throughout his illustrious career with the Cleveland Browns, Jim Brown dominated the NFL, leading the league in rushing for an astounding eight out of his nine seasons. His exceptional performance earned him the title of league MVP three times and played a pivotal role in the Browns’ triumph as the 1964 NFL champions. Recognizing his unparalleled contributions to the sport, Brown received the esteemed honor of induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Furthermore, his remarkable skills and impact on the game led to his inclusion in the prestigious NFL’s 50th, 75th, and 100th Anniversary All-Time teams.

“It’s impossible to describe the profound love and gratitude we feel for having been a small piece of Jim’s incredible life and legacy,” the Browns wrote in a statement. “We mourn his passing but celebrate the indelible light he brought to the world.”

In addition to his football prowess, Jim Brown, who hails from Long Island, is renowned as one of the most exceptional lacrosse players in the sport’s history.

However, it was his burgeoning career in Hollywood that played a significant role in Brown’s departure from the NFL. Filming “The Dirty Dozen” faced production delays due to inclement weather in England, which would have caused him to miss the beginning of training camp in the summer of 1966. In response, team owner Art Modell threatened Brown with fines of $100 per day for his absence.

Considering that the 1966 season marked the final year of his contract, Brown swiftly made the decision to retire at the age of 30.

The day after announcing his retirement, Brown sat down for an interview with Sports Illustrated, offering a glimpse into the path his life would take from that point onward.
“I could have played longer,” he told the magazine. “I want more mental stimulation than I would have playing football. I want to have a hand in the struggle that is taking place in our country, and I have the opportunity to do that now. I might not a year from now.”

Later in the interview Brown said he quit “with regret but not sorrow.”

Born on February 17, 1936, in St. Simons Island, Georgia, James Nathaniel Brown entered the world to parents Swinton Brown, a professional boxer and gambler, and Theresa, who worked as a domestic. Unfortunately, his father left shortly after his birth, while his mother departed when he was 2 years old to seek employment on Long Island. Raised by his great-grandmother, he experienced a reunion with his mother at the age of 8, marking the first time she had seen him in approximately six years. Subsequently, she relocated him to Glen Cove, New York.

During his time at Manhasset High School, Brown demonstrated his exceptional athleticism across various sports, including football, basketball, track and field, and lacrosse. Notably, as a senior, he achieved an impressive average of 38 points per game for the basketball team and received recognition as a high school All-American in lacrosse.

On the football field, despite being the primary target of opposing defenses, Brown showcased his remarkable abilities. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.4 yards per carry, followed by just over 15 yards per carry as a junior, and 14.9 yards per carry as a senior. His leadership led the football team to an undefeated season, a feat not accomplished in three decades.

When the time came to select a college, Brown received scholarship offers from over 40 schools, with Ohio State appearing as a probable choice. However, due to his discomfort with venturing too far from his familiar surroundings in Manhasset, a local benefactor suggested he explore the option of attending Syracuse University.

During his time at Syracuse University, James Brown encountered significant challenges in his pursuit of meaningful playing time with the football team, known as the Orangemen at the time. He faced what he perceived as inherent racism within the program, which led to moments of frustration and a strong desire to return home. However, through the support and guidance of trusted individuals back in Manhasset, he persevered. Nonetheless, his experiences at Syracuse, both on and off the field, left deep emotional scars that took many years to heal.

By the time Brown concluded his college career, he had placed Syracuse football on the national map, elevating its recognition beyond the East Coast. In his final game, the 1957 Cotton Bowl against Texas Christian, Brown delivered an extraordinary performance, rushing for 132 yards on 26 carries and contributing 21 points to his team’s total. Despite a 28-27 loss, he was rightfully named the game’s most valuable player.

As a result of his remarkable achievements, Brown received unanimous All-America honors, finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, and holds the distinction of being the only player elected to the professional football, college football, and lacrosse halls of fame. In recognition of his impact, Syracuse University retired his jersey number, 44.

Selected by the Cleveland Browns as the sixth pick in the 1957 draft, Jim Brown seamlessly transitioned into the NFL, wasting no time in acclimating himself to the professional league. In his rookie year, he showcased his exceptional talent by being named the league’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Brown rushed for an impressive 942 yards in the span of a 12-game schedule. This remarkable achievement marked the beginning of his dominance as he led the league in rushing for five consecutive seasons. Among his notable seasons, his finest performance may have come in 1963, where he led the league with 1,863 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in just 14 games.

By the time of his retirement, Brown had solidified his status as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, accumulating an impressive 12,312 yards. Currently, he holds the 11th position in the all-time rushing yardage rankings.

Despite his remarkable achievements on the field, Brown faced challenges and struggles in his personal life. Having been married twice and fathering six children, he lacked meaningful relationships with his children for a significant portion of his life. Additionally, he faced accusations of violence against women on five occasions, involving both his wives and girlfriends. He was found guilty of a crime once, specifically in a 1999 incident where, at the age of 63, he was convicted of misdemeanor vandalism for using a shovel to smash the windows of a car belonging to his 25-year-old wife, Monique.

After being convicted, Brown received a sentence of one year of domestic violence counseling, 400 hours of community service, $1,800 in fines, and three years of probation. However, he chose not to comply with these terms and was subsequently sentenced to six months in county jail. He served four months of his sentence before being released.

“Much of what the media has written about me and the things with women have been either exaggerated or totally false,” in his book, author Mike Freeman quoted Brown as expressing, “Jim Brown: The Fierce Life of an American Hero.” “I do think there have been times when I should have been more in control of myself. But a lot of the things that have been said about me in the press have been said only because I’m Jim Brown.

“I treat people with respect and that includes women. … I’m not the violent monster that people claim I am.”

Since his departure from Syracuse, Brown has been an activist, deeply concerned about the challenges faced by African Americans in the South and the widespread poverty that afflicts many within the community.

“He was different after Syracuse,” according to Ed Corley, a close childhood friend, who spoke to Freeman “I think he wanted to be a great football player, but I think he also wanted to change society. He was going to do whatever it took to make things better for his people.”

To further his commitment, Brown, having been a member of the Army ROTC during his time at Syracuse and achieving the rank of captain in the Army Reserve before receiving an honorable discharge, provided his unwavering support to Muhammad Ali during his resistance to induction into the Army. Brown played a pivotal role in organizing the Cleveland Summit, where influential black athletes such as Bill Russell and Lew Alcindor (now Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) gathered for a press conference, publicly endorsing Ali’s cause.

“I felt with Ali taking the position he was taking, and with him losing the crown, and with the government coming at him with everything they had, that we as a body of prominent athletes could get the truth and stand behind Ali and give him the necessary support,” Brown said in 2012.

“Jim Brown really represented achievement for the black community,” Abdul-Jabbar said years ago. “He was so good it didn’t matter what color they were they had to recognize him and as the best in his field. That meant a lot to black Americans in the ’60s when anything any black person achieved was questioned as to whether it was significant. But there were no question marks about Jim Brown.”