Jim Brown

Arguably the greatest player in NFL history and a champion for social activism throughout and long after his football career ended with the Cleveland Browns, Brown died peacefully Thursday night at his home in Hollywood Hills, California, Brown’s wife, Monique, confirmed in a post Friday on Instagram. He was 87. Brown is survived by Monique and their two children, in addition to three children from his previous marriage. Brown, who led the Browns to the NFL championship in 1964, was undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, Brown retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher (12,312 yards) after earning eight unanimous first-team all-pro selections and nine Pro Bowl honors during nine NFL seasons. A four-time NFL MVP and eight-time rushing champ, he averaged 104.3 rushing yards per game – and never missed a game. Born James Nathaniel Brown on Feb. 17, 1936, in San Simons Island, Georgia, son of Swinton and Theresa Brown, Jim was raised by his grandmother during his early years.