Remembering the legend that is the great Jim Brown

We just couldn’t let this stuff go …

Jim Brown died Thursday night, and the football player turned actor turned activist will be missed by many. See his obit, A1.

Many people had reactions about his passing.

A sampling:

From Lakers star LeBron James: “We lost a hero today. Rest in Paradise to the legend Jim Brown. I hope every Black athlete takes the time to educate themselves about this incredible man and what he did to change all of our lives. We all stand on your shoulders Jim Brown. If you grew up in Northeast Ohio and were Black, Jim Brown was a God. As a kid who loved football, I really just thought of him as the greatest Cleveland Brown to ever play. Then I started my own journey as a professional athlete and realized what he did socially was his true greatness. When I choose to speak out, I always think about Jim Brown. I can only speak because Jim broke down those walls for me.”

• Statement from Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.“Jim Brown is a true icon of not just the Cleveland Browns but the entire NFL. He was certainly the greatest to ever put on a Browns uniform and arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history. Jim was one of the reasons the Browns have such a tremendous fan base today. So many people grew up watching him just dominate every time he stepped onto the football field but his countless accolades on the field only tell a small part of his story. His commitment to making a positive impact for all of humanity off the field is what he should also be known for.”

•From NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: “Jim Brown was a gifted athlete — one of the most dominant players to ever step on any athletic field — but also a cultural figure who helped promote change. During his nineyear NFL career, which coincided with the civil rights movement here at home, he became a forerunner and role model for athletes being involved in social initiatives outside their sport.”

• From Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers: “I’ve said many times, and I will always say, Jim Brown is the best, and he will still be the best long after all his records are broken.”

• From Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona: “My dad (former major leaguer Tito Francona) — I don’t even think there was a No. 2 (favorite player). It was just Jim Brown . ... I mean, everybody knows who Jim Brown is, whether it’s from football or acting or being an activist. He just did so many good things.”

• Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey: “He told me, ‘Make sure when anyone tackles you he remembers how much it hurts.’ He lived by that philosophy and I always followed that advice.”

Trivia question

Brown lettered 10 times in four sports at Syracuse. Everyone knows about his football career and most know that he was two-time All-American lacrosse player who many consider the greatest ever to play that sport. In what other sports did he earn a letter?

He said it

From Brown: “I learned a long time ago that advice is a quick trip to nowhere. It’s the commitment that only you can make in yourself, the responsibility to assume control of yourself.”

Trivia answer

Brown also lettered in track and basketball.

COMPILED BY BOYCE GARRISON