Legendary NFL running back and Hall of Famer Jim Brown has passed away at the age of 87, according to ESPN.
His wife Monique announced Brown’s death on Instagram this afternoon, writing that he “passed peacefully” last night in their Los Angeles home.
She wrote:
“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…”
Back in 2020, Brown was selected to the NFL 100 all-time team, and was also ranked the number one all-time player on the College Football 150 list.
He was named the greatest football player ever by the Sporting News in 2002.
After being selected in the first round of the 1957 draft, he played nine seasons for the Cleveland Browns and led the league in rushing eight of those years, rushing for a total of 12,312 yards with an average of 5.2 yards per carry throughout his career.
Brown was also named a Pro Bowler every year he played while leading the Browns to three league championships, winning the title in 1964, and was named the MVP three times.
He ran for at least 100 yards in 58 of his 118 regular season games, and never missed a game. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in seven seasons, including 1,527 yards in one 12-game season and 1,863 yards in 14 games. He retired at 30 years old.
The Cleveland Browns said in a statement:
“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 brought to the world. Our hearts are with Jim’s family, loved ones, and all those he impacted along the way.”
