Jim Brown, widely regarded as the best runner in professional soccer who ended her career early to pursue acting and civil rights activism, has died, announced his family. She was 87 years old.
A spokeswoman for Brown’s family said he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home Thursday night with his wife, Monique, by his side.
«To the world, he was an activist, actor and soccer star,» according to a statement by Monique Brown. “To our family, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken.»
Brown played nine seasons for the cleveland browns and hastened to 12,312 yards and 106 touchdownsthe 11th and 6th in NFL history, respectively.
The Browns called him a legend, leader, activist and visionary in a statement Friday afternoon.
And the NFL added: «We are heartbroken by the passing of the legendary Jim Brown. One of the greatest players in NFL history, a true pioneer and activist. Jim Brown’s legacy will live on forever.»
His alma mater, Syracuse University, extended its condolences to the loved ones of the all-time great soccer player. and lacrosse player.
«There will only be one Jim Brown. We are saddened to have lost the greatest of all time today.» the school said.
Even Brown’s impressive career numbers on the gridiron they don’t fully reflect his magnificent NFL career, which he interrupted to pursue a second career in Hollywood.
He rushed for 5.2 yards per carry, by far the most of any player for 10,000+ career yards per carry.
He led the Browns to the 1964 NFL title and Cleveland lost the 1965 title game. Those were the last two NFL title games, before the advent of the Super Bowl, facing the NFL champions and the old AFL.
The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, and Cleveland has never played in that championship game.
Brown was on the London set of «The Dirty Dozen» and he was going to be late for training camp in the late summer of 1966 when team owner Art Modell publicly ordered his star running back to return to America and be on time for preseason drills.
If Modell was lying, Brown wasn’t playing that game. He announced his retirement from London.
«This decision is final» brown said. “I am no longer mentally preparing for football. I’m committing to other things. I’m not going to play again.»
Brown has acting credits in more of 30 movieswhich include «An ordinary Sunday», «The dirty dozen», «El cóndor» and «Three by the bad».
Brown was one of the most outspoken black athletes of his day, advocating for them to use his platforms and uplift the important causes of the day.
He called what is known as the «Cleveland Summit.» It was then that athletes like Bill Russell and Lew Alcindor—who would later change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—and activists like Carl Stokes came together to listen to Muhammed Ali and ultimately join his cause.
While Ali was stripped of his championship belts and convicted of draft evasion, the The US Supreme Court in 1971 it overturned the conviction, ruling that the government had not adequately considered Ali’s application as a conscientious objector.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed.