Browns to honor Brown with statue

The greatest Cleveland Brown of them all is being immortalized.

Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, one of the most dominant players in NFL history who left the game at the prime of his career, will be honored with a statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium.

The team announced the tribute on Wednesday, Brown’s 80th birthday. In other NFL news: • The Carolina Panthers have signed long snapper J.J. Jansen to a five-year contract extension.

• The New York Giants re-signed long-snapper Zak DeOssie.

• The New England Patriots released defensive back Leonard Johnson.