Ernie Kovacs
American comedian, actor, and writer (1919-1962)
Jim Brown was a legendary American football player, civil rights activist, and actor. He dominated the NFL as a running back for the Cleveland Browns, leading the league in rushing yards for most of his career. Brown also excelled in college sports, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and became an accomplished actor in Hollywood.
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About the Jim Brown
James Nathaniel Brownwas an American professional football player, civil rights activist, and actor. He played as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football Leaguefrom 1957 to 1965. Considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, as well as one of the greatest players in NFL history, Brown was a Pro Bowl invitee every season he was in the league, was recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player three times. Brown won an NFL championship with the Browns in 1964. He led the league in rushing yards in eight out of his nine seasons, and by the time he retired, he held most major rushing records. In 2002, he was named by The Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever.
Brown earned unanimous All-America honors playing college football at Syracuse University, where he was an all-around player for the Syracuse Orangemen football team. The team later retired his number 44 jersey, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He is also widely considered one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time, and the Premier Lacrosse League MVP Award is named in his honor. Brown also excelled in basketball and track and field.
In his professional career, Brown carried the ball 2,359 times for 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns, which were all records when he retired. He averaged 104.3 rushing yards per game and is the only player in NFL history to average over 100 rushing yards per game for his career. Brown was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. He was named to the NFL’s 50th, 75th, and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, composed of the best players in NFL history. Brown was honored at the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship as the greatest college football player of all time. His number 32 jersey is retired by the Browns.
Shortly before the end of his football career, Brown became an actor. He retired at the peak of his football career to pursue an acting career. He obtained 53 acting credits and several leading roles throughout the 1970s. He has been described as Hollywood’s first black action hero and his role in the 1969 film 100 Rifles made cinematic history for featuring interracial love scenes.
Brown was one of the few athletes, and among the most prominent African Americans, to speak out on racial issues as the civil rights movement was growing in the 1950s. He participated in the Cleveland Summit after Muhammad Ali faced imprisonment for refusing to enter the draft for the Vietnam War, and he founded the Black Economic Union to help promote economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Brown later launched a foundation focused on diverting at-risk youth from violence through teaching them life skills, through which he facilitated the Watts truce between rival street gangs in Los Angeles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jim Brown was an American professional football player, civil rights activist, and actor. He played as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965 and is considered one of the greatest running backs of all time.
Jim Brown was a Pro Bowl invitee every season he played, was recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player three times, and won an NFL championship with the Browns in 1964. He led the league in rushing yards in eight out of his nine seasons and held most major rushing records when he retired.
In addition to football, Jim Brown earned unanimous All-America honors playing college football at Syracuse University, where he was an all-around player for the Syracuse Orangemen football team. He is also widely considered one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time, and he also excelled in basketball and track and field.
Jim Brown was one of the few athletes, and among the most prominent African Americans, to speak out on racial issues as the civil rights movement was growing in the 1950s. He participated in the Cleveland Summit after Muhammad Ali faced imprisonment for refusing to enter the draft for the Vietnam War, and he founded the Black Economic Union to help promote economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
Shortly before the end of his football career, Jim Brown became an actor. He retired at the peak of his football career to pursue an acting career, obtaining 53 acting credits and several leading roles throughout the 1970s. He has been described as Hollywood’s first black action hero.
Jim Brown’s role in the 1969 film 100 Rifles made cinematic history for featuring interracial love scenes, which was a groundbreaking portrayal at the time.
Jim Brown’s number 32 jersey is retired by the Cleveland Browns, recognizing his status as one of the greatest players in NFL history and his legendary career with the team.
4 Quotes by Jim Brown
- 1.
I was just a big guy running down with a big, deep pocket and little short stick putting it against my chest.
Jim BrownAmerican football player and actor (1936-2023)
- 2.
I’m not interested in trying to work on people’s perceptions. I am who I am, and if you don’t take the time to learn about that, then your perception is going to be your problem.
Jim BrownAmerican football player and actor (1936-2023)
- 3.
I came from Long Island, so I had a lot of experience at the stick. I played in junior high school, then I played in high school. The technical aspect of the game was my forte. I had all that experience, then I had strength and I was in good condition.
Jim BrownAmerican football player and actor (1936-2023)
- 4.
I loved the game. We played because we loved it.
Jim BrownAmerican football player and actor (1936-2023)