NFL Icon Jim Brown Dead at 87; LeBron James Reacts
NFL Hall of Fame running back and Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown has passed away last Thursday. He was 87.
According to Bleacher Report, his death was announced by a Brown family spokesperson who revealed that he died peacefully at his Los Angeles home with his wife, Monique Brown, at his side. She also released her own statement on her husband's death on social media. She and Jim Brown have been married for 26 years.
Legendary RB Jim Brown has passed away, his wife Monique Brown announced. pic.twitter.com/hOZD3W3hjW
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 19, 2023
As for his cause of death, reports indicate that he died of natural causes. No exact reason has been made public so far.
Jim Brown's Legendary Career as NFL and Cleveland Browns React
Brown spent nine years with the Cleveland Browns, from 1957 to 1965. During those nine years, he became a nine-time Pro Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Pro, three-time NFL MVP and one-time NFL champion. Because of everything he has done for the team, the Cleveland Browns released a tribute on Twitter:
Jim Brown Forever 🧡🤎♾️
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 19, 2023
Legend. Leader. Activist. Visionary.
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. We mourn his passing, but celebrate the indelible light he… pic.twitter.com/F2rrTUnsc1
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement following the news of Jim Brown's death.
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Throughout his career, the NFL legend rushed for 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns on 2,359 carries. He also caught 262 passes for 2,499 yards and another 20 touchdowns. He led the entire league in rushing yardage eight times and rushing touchdowns five times. In fact, he is currently ranked 11th in rushing yards.
After he retired from football, he became a Hollywood actor and even found some success. He appeared in over 50 films and TV series, with acting becoming a lucrative second career for him.
Brown was also a civil rights activist. At the height of the Civil Rights movement, he organized a meeting in 1967 with other Black superstar athletes in Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a show of solidarity with boxing legend Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in the Vietnam War.
LeBron James, Cleveland Owners, React to Jim Brown's Death
Ohio native LeBron James, who grew up as a big fan of the Cleveland Browns, posted a tribute to Browns legend Jim Brown on Instagram, saying, "I hope every Black athlete takes the time to educate themselves about this incredible man and what he did to change all of our lives."
Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam also paid tribute to the fallen legend, calling Brown "a true icon of not just the Cleveland Browns but the entire NFL." They also called him "the greatest to ever put on a Browns uniform and arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history," according to the Associated Press.
The Browns owners also added that he was "one of the reasons the Browns have such a tremendous fan base today. " Finally, they praised "His commitment to making a positive impact for all of humanity off the field is what he should also be known for."
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: BREAKING: NFL legend Jim Brown dead at 87 - MSNBC
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