Legendary Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown died in his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 87.
Brown’s wife, Monique Brown, announced his death in an Instagram post on Friday, saying he “passed peacefully last night.”
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“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown,” Brown wrote. “To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken.”
Brown was widely considered one of the greatest players in NFL history, playing for the Browns from 1957 until 1965 and being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Jim Brown Forever ??♾️
Legend. Leader. Activist. Visionary.
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… pic.twitter.com/F2rrTUnsc1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 19, 2023
“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 Cleveland Browns said in a tweet.
“Our hearts are with Jim’s family, loved ones, and all those he impacted along the way,” the tweet continued.
Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1957 with the sixth overall pick, Brown was an instant star for the franchise, being named first-team All-Pro in all but one of the nine seasons he played in the league.
Brown also led the team to its most recent NFL championship in 1964 and was named league MVP by the Associated Press three times during his career. He retired after the 1965 NFL season at the age of 30 to pursue an acting career.
The former football player starred in several films in the 1960s and 1970s, including The Dirty Dozen, Kenner, and 100 Rifles. He was also an advocate during the civil rights movement throughout that time.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called Brown “one of the most dominant players” in the league’s history but also commended him as “a cultural figure who helped promote change.”
“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Monique and their family. Jim Brown was a gifted athlete — one of the most dominant players to ever step on any athletic field — but also a cultural figure who helped promote change,” Goodell said.
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“During his nine-year NFL career, which coincided with the civil rights movement here at home, he became a forerunner and role model for athletes being involved in social initiatives outside their sport. He inspired fellow athletes to make a difference, especially in the communities in which they lived,” he added.
Brown is the Cleveland Browns’ all-time leading rusher and is 11th on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list. He was named to the NFL’s 100th anniversary all-time team in 2019.
