Reactions are pouring in in remembrance of NFL Hall of Famer and actor Jim Brown, who passed away peacefully on Thursday night. He was 87.
Brown’s wife Monique made the announcement on her Instagram saying, “”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…”
A three-time League MVP, Brown played only nine years in the National Football League from 1957-65, all with the Cleveland Browns, and was considered one of, if not, the best football players of all time. Brown averaged an astounding 5.2 yards per carry, and led a League predicated and dedicated to the run in eight of his nine years.
A Syracuse University alum, Brown ran for 12,312 yards in the NFL and was a Pro Bowler every year. He was also a member of the Browns last NFL Championship in 1964.
After his retirement, Brown went into acting, appearing in more than 30 films, most famously as Raymound Jefferson in the 1967 World War II action thriller The Dirty Dozen.
Brown was also well known for his activism in the Civil Rights movement.
