Toon for WoodyPAige.com, a leading sports commentary online platform. Jim Brown passed away at the age of 87. A force of nature on any field, Brown was considered by many as both the greatest football player and lacrosse player of all time.
He retired from the NFL and the Cleveland Browns a year before I was born, but I can still hear my father (separated in age by only a handful of months from Brown) talk with awe about his dominance in the League.
A Pro Bowler every one of his nine years in the NFL, he led the league in rushing eight of nine years, and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. He was named MVP three times, played in three championships and won a title.
As a lacrosse player, Brown was equally unstoppable. It's said that three new rules were instituted because of Brown's dominance, including "chesting the ball." He once said, "I'd rather play lacrosse six days a week and football on the seventh." If there had been a professional lacrosse league in his time, we might have truly seen his dominance in the sport.
Also an outstanding basketball player (drafted for the NBA) and track athlete, Brown earned 10 letters in 4 sports at Syracuse. He would have earned more, but in those days athletes had to play for the freshman teams in all sports.
It must be also noted that Brown faced allegations of assault against various women. He was never convicted in these cases, but admitted “I can definitely get angry, and I have taken that anger out inappropriately in the past.”
Brown was never shy in his activism in the community and on the national stage, first as a player, then as an actor and finally as a spokesman and founder of some major initiatives. His impactful work in the Black community, and with the impoverished and the incarcerated of all types spoke to his substantial heart and dedication to making a difference.

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