Jim Brown Dead - NFL Hall of Famer & Activist Dies at Age 87

NFL great Jim Brown has sadly passed away.

The NFL Hall of Fame running back peacefully died in his sleep on Thursday night (May 18) with wife Monique by his side at at their home in Los Angeles, a spokeswoman for the Brown family confirmed in a statement.

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“Jim was a trailblazer in American culture. He was a collegiate All-American in several
sports and is widely recognized as the best American lacrosse player of all time,” read the statement. “He was drafted in the first round of the NFL 1957 draft by the Cleveland Browns, and changed the football landscape and record books forever. He was named Rookie of the Year, NFL MVP three times, won one NFL Championship with the Cleveland Browns, and retired from football at the top of his game at the age of 29.”

The statement continued, “He then transitioned into acting as an action star with critically acclaimed performances in The Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra, The Split. He broke racial barriers with Raquel Welch in 1969’s 100 Rifles, which featured a ground-breaking love scene between a black man and white woman. He later appeared in the films The Running Man, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, Mars Attacks!, He Got Game, and Any Given Sunday.”

Along with his career in sports and movies, Jim was also a civil rights activist.

“[Jim] was most proud of his social activism and using his platform to empower others during a racially tense American time,” Jim’s statement added. “He was already active in the Civil Rights movement when he organized The Cleveland Summit, a June 1967 gathering of 12 of America’s most prominent black athletes in support of Muhammad Ali and his decision to abstain from serving in the Vietnam War.”

“It was seen as a turning point in American sports that is still frequently cited when contemporary athletes make moral or political stances. He remained active in the fight for equality for the rest of his life, founding the Amer-I-Can Foundation for Social Change in 1988.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Monique, his seven kids – children Aris, Morgan, Jim Jr, Kevin, Kimberly, Shellee, Kim – and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Ward.

Our thoughts are with Jim Brown‘s loved ones during this difficult time. RIP.