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In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2023
The sports satellite is mourning the nonaccomplishment of an icon.
Jim Brown, an NFL champion turned histrion and civilian rights activist, died May 18 astatine his Los Angeles home, his wife Monique Brown shared connected Instagram. He was 87.
"To the satellite helium was an activist, actor, and shot star," Monique wrote May 19. "To our family, helium was a loving and fantastic husband, father, and grandfather. Our hearts are broken."
She didn't stock a origin of death.
Jim's rep Rhiannon Ellis called him a "trailblazer successful American culture" portion sharing a connection connected his legacy.
Jim's nonrecreational sports bequest career in 1957, erstwhile helium was selected successful the archetypal circular of the NFL draught by the Cleveland Browns. He would spell connected to beryllium named Rookie of the Year, go a three-time NFL MVP and pb the Cleveland Browns to an NFL Championship successful 1964. A twelvemonth later, Jim, who played the moving backmost position, retired astatine property 29.
He past turned toward Hollywood, acting in The Dirty Dozen, Ice Station Zebra and The Split. His credits besides see roles successful The Running Man, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, Mars Attacks!, He Got Game and Any Given Sunday.
Notably, his quality in 1969's 100 Rifles, wherever helium acted alongside the precocious Raquel Welch, featured the archetypal intimate emotion country between a Black antheral and a achromatic woman, according to his rep.
Outside of sports and acting, Jim focused his efforts connected civilian rights.
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"He was astir arrogant of his societal activism and utilizing his level to empower others during a racially tense American time," his rep said successful a statement. "He was already progressive successful the Civil Rights question erstwhile helium organized The Cleveland Summit, a June 1967 gathering of 12 of America's astir salient Black athletes successful enactment of Muhammad Ali and his determination to abstain from serving successful the Vietnam War. It was seen arsenic a turning constituent successful American sports that is inactive often cited erstwhile modern athletes marque motivation oregon governmental stances."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell besides echoed the sentiment, describing Jim—who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame successful 1971—as a "cultural fig who helped beforehand change."
"During his nine-year NFL career, which coincided with the civilian rights question present astatine home, helium became a forerunner and relation exemplary for athletes being progressive successful societal initiatives extracurricular their sport," Goodell said successful an NFL property release. "He inspired chap athletes to marque a difference, particularly successful the communities successful which they lived."
Jim is survived by his woman Monique; children Aris, Morgan, Jim Jr., Kevin, Kimberly, Shellee and Kim; and aggregate grandchildren. His girl Karen Ward died successful 2016.
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