Jim Brown was one of those athletes who easily go beyond the simple framework of their game. He died on Thursday, May 18, at the age of 87, as his family announced on social networks.
“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown. He passed away peacefully last night at our Los Angeles home. To the world he was an activist, an actor and a football star. To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Our hearts are broken…”
Superstar of Syracuse University, he became, after his draft in 1957, the face of the Cleveland Browns for nearly a decade. Three-time MVP, NFL champion in 1964, Brown leads the league in yards covered in eight of his nine professional seasons. A Pro Bowler in every year of his career, he has also made the All-Pro First Team eight times.
In 1966, at the height of his fame, Jim Brown retired at the age of 30. In nine years, he amassed 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns. All at an astonishing average of 5.2 yards per carry. Add to that 2,499 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns. Logically, he was introduced to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, in 1971.
His second career, in cinema, will see him star in films like The Dirty Dozen, Mars Attacks!, He Got Game or Sunday Hellin which he plays Montezuma Monroe, the defensive coordinator of the Miami Sharks.
Jim Brown leaves behind him the image of a dominant player, one of the first stars of this sport.
