American · St Simons, Georgia · Born 17 February 1936 · Died 2023-05-18American football running back widely considered the greatest of all time, played nine seasons with Cleveland Browns, rushed for 12,312 yards
James Nathaniel Brown was born in St Simons, Georgia in 1936. Cleveland Browns selected him sixth overall in 1957. His nine-season career produced 12,312 rushing yards at 5.2 yards per carry — the highest average in NFL history. He led the league in rushing eight times and was never taken out of a game due to injury. He won the NFL championship with Cleveland in 1964. He retired at 29 to pursue an acting career — appearing in The Dirty Dozen and over 40 films. He was a prominent civil rights activist. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. At 6ft 2in and 230lb with halfback speed, he was physically unlike any running back of his era. He is named the greatest football player in history by The Sporting News.
Revolutionizing the running back position with unprecedented combination of size, speed, and power; retiring at his peak
He retired at 29 — considered the absolute peak of his powers — having never missed a single NFL game due to injury in nine seasons.
Did You Know?How They Played
Powerful runner with exceptional speed and agility for his size; known for punishing tackles and breaking through defensive lines
Lasting Impact
Widely regarded as the greatest NFL player of all time; set numerous records that stood for decades
Career Honours
- NFL Champion 1964
- 8 rushing titles
- 3x NFL MVP
- Pro Bowl 9x
- 12,312 rushing yards
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 1957–1965 | 118 |
American Athletes