On Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020, the world of professional football was rocked by the passing of Jim Brown, one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and a social activist who devoted his life to making a positive impact on society. Brown, who was 87 years old, passed away peacefully in his home in Los Angeles, California.
Brown was a standout athlete from an early age, playing football, basketball, and track at Manhasset High School in New York. He then attended Syracuse University, where he was a three-time All-American and set numerous school records. In 1957, he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and went on to become one of the most dominant players in the history of the NFL. He was named the NFL MVP in 1965 and was selected to nine Pro Bowls. He retired after the 1965 season as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Brown was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice. He founded the Amer-I-Can program in 1988 to help at-risk youth stay in school and out of trouble. He also worked with the Cleveland Browns organization to create a youth football league for inner-city children.
Brown’s legacy will live on for generations to come. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and was named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994. He will be remembered not only as one of the greatest football players of all time, but also as a tireless advocate for social justice and equality. His passing is a great loss to the world of sports and to society as a whole.
