Brown, Jim (1936-2023), was one of the greatest players in National Football League (NFL) history. Brown, a fast and powerful fullback, played with the Cleveland Browns from 1957 until he retired after the 1965 season. Brown was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine NFL seasons. He won the league rushing championship a record eight times. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 1957 and was selected as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1957, 1958, and 1965. In 1964, Brown helped Cleveland win the NFL title. During his career, Brown rushed for 12,312 yards and scored 126 touchdowns, both NFL records at the time he retired. Brown was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
James Nathaniel Brown was born on Feb. 17, 1936, in St. Simons Island, Georgia. He attended Syracuse University and won All-America honors in 1956. Brown entered the NFL draft in 1957. The draft is the process in which NFL teams choose players, usually amateurs from college programs. Cleveland selected Brown as the first player taken in the draft. After retiring from football, Brown became a motion-picture actor. He appeared in many movies in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He was also known for his work in the civil rights movement. Brown wrote his autobiography, Out of Bounds (1989), with Steve Delsohn. Brown died on May 18, 2023.
