Jim Brown, widely regarded as the greatest running back and one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL, has passed away.
Tom Withers of the Associated Press announced Brown’s passing.
“Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown, the unstoppable running back who retired at the peak of his brilliant career to become an actor as well as a prominent civil rights advocate during the 1960s, has died. He was 87.
“A spokeswoman for Brown’s family said he passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night with his wife, Monique, by his side,” the report said.
Brown played his entire NFL career (1957-1965) with the Cleveland Browns. While Brown retired in his prime, he retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and held the mark until it was broken by Walter Payton in 1984.
The Browns honored Brown on Twitter. In addition to releasing a statement, they also changed their Twitter avatar to his number, 32, with a Browns helmet.
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
Brown also starred in other sports before joining the NFL. Most notably, that included lacrosse, but also included track and field and basketball. After his football career ended, Brown became an actor and starred in movies like The Dirty Dozen.
Several people honored Brown for all of his achievements upon the news of his passing.
Averaged 15pp in hoops, 2nd team AA in LAX, top 5 in NCAA decathlon at Syracuse. Held every rushing record when he retired from the NFL too… Greatest athlete of all time https://t.co/ODSUBjbMef
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) May 19, 2023
Maybe the greatest running back ever, one of the greatest lacrosse players ever too, and he lived a great life after retirement as well. https://t.co/sMfJTbOSsF
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) May 19, 2023
One of the greatest NFL players ever. RIP https://t.co/iTIBU2drdP
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) May 19, 2023
This stinks. After the #Patriots played the Browns in Cleveland last year, Bill Belichick had the team buses stop at the Jim Brown statue on the way out of the stadium. Players got off and Belichick shared what Brown meant to the sport. Very cool moment. RIP to a legend. https://t.co/Uwsu2KYzzj
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) May 19, 2023
RIP Jim Brown #NFL https://t.co/xvwcJI6Or3 pic.twitter.com/vMjaw5KjYC
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) May 19, 2023
Very sad to hear this. Jim Brown was an icon as a player as well as civil rights activist. One of a kind. RIP. https://t.co/WINE0wNlpr
— Tom (@Haudricourt) May 19, 2023
