Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown’s death mourned. ‘Legend. Leader. Visionary’
Legendary football player and civil rights activist Jim Brown has died at the age of 87, his wife Monique announced on Instagram.
According to the post, Brown passed away on Thursday, May 18, in Los Angeles.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown,” Monique said. “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.”
Members of the sports world took to social media to express their condolences and share memories of one of the greatest running backs to ever play football.
Brown was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 1957 draft and carried the ball 2,359 times for 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns during his nine-season career in the NFL. Among his wide array of accomplishments, Brown led Cleveland to the NFL Championship in 1964 and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
After retiring at 30, Brown turned his attention to acting and being a pioneer during the Civil Rights Movement.