Born February 17, 1936, in St Simons, Georgia, was the all-time great running back Jim Brown. When discussing a player who rewrote the record books, Jim Brown’s name has to be at the top of the list. The FootballFoundation.org website shares that Brown in 1956 had a season where his rushing yards per game read something like 197 yards, 162, 155, 154 & 151 yards! He ended up with 986 yards for the season, ranking him third in the nation and giving him the nod for unanimous All-America status. But that wasn’t it for “First Down Brown’s” scoring, though, as he also kicked for Syracuse. This is evident at the Colgate game in 1956 when Jim scored six touchdowns and kicked seven extra points. That was a total of 43 points in a 61-7 game. Jim Brown won on the ballot to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. The Cleveland Browns wasted no time in making Jim their first-round pick in the 1957 NFL Draft, per the ProFootballHOF.com site. Brown played all nine of his years as a pro in Cleveland, with an excellent 12312 yards rushing and 15459 total accumulated yards. The powerful back scored 756 points in those nine years in the NFL and played in a Pro Bowl every season, including being selected as the 1957 Rookie of the Year. Jim was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in three different seasons! The Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971’s ceremonies enshrined Jim Brown in their Canton, Ohio Museum of Legends.
Jim Brown
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME: Jim Brown A Top Running Back in Football HistoryPro Football Hall of Fame Enshrined Player
A select few NFL players are selected to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. This museum and its content stands as a monument to the gridiron greats, their enshrinement a testament to their lasting impact on the sport.
By honoring these legends, we gain a deeper appreciation for the history and evolution of professional football. Each Hall of Famer represents a specific era, their stories chronicling the game's transformation from its rugged beginnings to the modern marvel it is today. From the early days of Vince Lombardi's coaching genius to the aerial acrobatics of Joe Montana, these players embody the innovation and athletic development that have shaped the game. By celebrating their achievements, we celebrate the rich tapestry of professional football, ensuring that the incredible feats of the past continue to inspire future generations. We are proud to help the Hall to salute these gridiron greats with bios and stories of what made them special in the arena of football history and their impact on the game.
Jim Brown's College Career at Syracuse
Much of what we are reminded of about the legendary running back Jim Brown was from his NFL playing days in Cleveland. Brown was an equally fantastic colleague in football at Syracuse University.
Brown, in 1956, had a season where his rushing yards per game read something like 197 yards, 162, 155, 154 & 151 yards! He ended up with 986 yards for the season, ranking him third in the nation and giving him the nod for unanimous All-America status for the Orangemen.
But that wasn’t it for “First Down Brown’s” accolades, though, as he also kicked for Syracuse. This is evident at the Colgate game in 1956 when Jim scored six touchdowns and kicked seven extra points. That was 43 points in a 61-7 Cuse victory. Jim Brown won on the ballot to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995, and the University retired the number 44. The Cleveland Browns wasted no time making Jim their first-round pick in the 1957 NFL Draft.