Football Legend Jim Brown Dead at 87
NFL legend Jim Brown, who is widely considered to be the greatest football player of all time, died Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 87.
In a statement to TMZ, Brown’s wife, Monique Brown, said, “It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown. He passed away 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.”
Brown — who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 — spent nine seasons (1957-1965) as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns. In 2002, he was named by The Sporting News as the greatest professional football player in history.
After retiring from the NFL, Brown returned to his acting roots, appearing in the films The Dirty Dozen, Any Given Sunday, The Running Man, Original Gangstas, Mars Attacks! and He Got Game. On the small screen, he guest starred in episodes of CHiPs, Knight Rider, The A-Team, T.J. Hooker, Living Single, Arli$$ and Soul Food.
Brown was also a commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championships from 1993-1996.
“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,” the Cleveland Browns said in a statement Friday. “We mourn his passing, but celebrate the indelible light he brought to the world. Our hearts are with Jim’s family, loved ones, and all those he impacted along the way.”
Rest in Peace Mr. Brown I don’t watch football but you were in one of my favorite movies Original Gangsters! Praying for your family and friends! GOD bless you all ❤️ ✝️
Thank you for everything you gave to us. You will be missed and remembered. Rest in peace.
RIP LEGEND
He averaged 5+ yards per carry and over 100 yards rushing per game. Doubt if anyone will achieve those milestones again. I have been watching foootball for 60+ years and can defintiely echo those who say is is the greatest player of all time. He is certainly the best I’ve ever seen.
Emmitt Smith only has the records because he spent 15 seasons in the league. Jim Brown was the GOAT.
As a kid in the 80s, I knew Jim Brown as Fireball in “The Running Man.” Later on, I saw him as Jefferson in “The Dirty Dozen.”
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While I wasn’t around to see him on the football field, Jim Brown definitely made an impact. RIP, good sir.
There’s, uh, a LOT more about his legacy that makes it far more complicated than what’s presented here.
Hagiographies are nice, but for such a complicated man such as Jim Brown, it really doesn’t reflect the totality of the person.
Undeniably a phenomenal athlete and important activist, but what’s been omitted here is the ugly record of spousal abuse and worse that occurred over many decades with several different women.
To many, speaking about the vile chapters of the recently deceased is considered in bad taste, but sugarcoating or ignoring selected aspects of a person’s life gives a more flattering but incomplete picture of them. And one that necessarily isn’t earned especially when the acts are egregious and abundant.
So now Jim Brown lies in peace, but it is one that he didn’t give to too many women while he was alive.