Jim Brown, the NFL Hall of Famer who went on to become an actor and civil rights advocate has died. He was 87.
In a statement posted to Instagram, his wife announced, “It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown. He passed peacefully last night at our LA home. 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.”
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Considered one of the greatest players in NFL history, Brown was recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player three times, and won an NFL championship with the Browns in 1964. He led the league in rushing yards in eight out of his nine seasons, and by the time he retired, he held most major rushing records. In 2002, he was named by The Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever.
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
Brown began his acting career playing a buffalo soldier in a Western action film called Rio Conchos; and upon retiring starred in many successful films including Fingers (1978), the directorial debut of James Toback; opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987); and in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday (1999) alongside Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx. He was last credited for The Black Godfather, a 2019 documentary directed by Reginald Hudlin.
Brown is survived by his wife Monique and their child; along with three children from a prior marriage to Sue Brown.
image via LBJ Presidential Library