Legend and legacy of Jim Brown celebrated in Canton
Hall of Famer Forever
Published on : 8/3/2023
By Barry Wilner
Special to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
They gathered in a symphony hall, dozens wearing Gold Jackets, executives from the NFL and people whose lives had been affected, even saved, by JIM BROWN.
And they paid tribute to Brown, who passed away in May at age 87, but whose life, legend and legacy impacted them all.
The event at Umstattd Hall in Canton, Ohio, was much more than a remembrance of Brown the Pro Football Hall of Famer, actor and activist. It was a call to those in attendance – indeed, to those everywhere – to carry on Brown’s battles for equality in all walks of life.
“This was a complete man,” said Hall of Fame member RAY LEWIS. “This man, he had to fight and continue to fight. His persistence …
“He taught me about the power of belief and what does it mean when everybody is against you and you find the power to get back up.”
Lewis, whom Brown himself unofficially anointed as his replacement in their fight for respect and dignity, was followed on stage by John Wooten, Brown’s former teammate in Cleveland and the former chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which has led the cause for African American coaches and executives in football.
Watch "The Life & Legacy of Jim Brown," a celebration of life for the Cleveland Browns legend here:
Wooten, himself a finalist for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 in the Coach/Contributor category, channeled the persuasiveness and leadership of Brown by getting everyone in attendance to stand and chant “For Human Dignity” and “Respect Everybody” during his speech.
“I say to all athletes,” Wooden added: “Take it upon yourself to be involved in your community.”
That was a theme of Brown’s life. Sure, football followers – certainly the myriad Browns fans in attendance – know all of the statistics and have seen all of the breathtaking video highlights. But Thursday’s event was about so much more. As Lewis noted: “He will be rejoiced in the hearts of every gang member and every Hall of Famer.”
As evidence, Rock Johnson, spoke emotionally of how Brown “saved my life.”
A former gang member, Johnson went to prison as a teenager and emerged in his 30s a different person due to Brown’s influence.
“He is the reason I am free and alive,” said Johnson, who was shot 11 times in his younger days. “I am here because of Jim Brown. I knew nothing about this man before I met him.”
Brown took Johnson under his wing and taught him to “turn the other cheek,” even when Johnson’s daughter was shot and killed. Choking back tears, Johnson called Brown “a man among men.”
Brown’s social work has been manifested in the Amer-I-Can Foundation for Social Change he created in 1988. The program, now run by his widow, Monique, presents a 15-chapter life skills curriculum designed to help students meet academic potential; conform behavior to acceptable societal standards; and improve the quality of their lives by equipping them to confidently and successfully contribute to society.
“He was a man who dedicated his life to being of service,” Monique Brown said. “Jim led with humanity, with strength – an uncompromising strength.”
Also remembering Brown and paying homage to all of the branches of his many careers were host Mike Tirico of NBC; Browns team owner Jimmy Haslam; singer Johnny Gill, who performed a stirring rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come”; and renowned boxing promoter Bob Arum – himself a Hall of Famer in that sport.
Arum hired Brown to do commentary on a heavyweight fight in 1965, making Brown the first African American sports broadcaster. In turn, it was Brown who essentially got Arum, then practicing law in New York, into the promotion business by hooking him up with Muhammad Ali. Through that association, Arum, who is white, had a ringside seat, if you will, to the development of a famed summit of Black athletes and activists that included Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“Before I knew it,” Arum said, “I was the promoter of Muhammad Ali.”
Thanks to Jim Brown.
“Jim had a vision,” Arum said, “that all people should have the opportunity to succeed.”
Thursday was declared Jim Brown Day in St. Simons Island, Georgia, where Brown was born and spent an early portion of his life before moving to Long Island. Cap Fendig, the commissioner of Glynn County, also urged everyone in attendance to support Monique Brown in efforts to establish a home on the island for struggling youngsters to learn the lessons Brown championed.
“Carry the vision they had together,” Fendig said.
Brown often expressed that powerful vision.
“Success is not only for the elite, the well-educated and the wealthy,” he would say. “Success is there for those who want it. Plan for it. And take action to achieve it.”
Special to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
They gathered in a symphony hall, dozens wearing Gold Jackets, executives from the NFL and people whose lives had been affected, even saved, by JIM BROWN.
And they paid tribute to Brown, who passed away in May at age 87, but whose life, legend and legacy impacted them all.
The event at Umstattd Hall in Canton, Ohio, was much more than a remembrance of Brown the Pro Football Hall of Famer, actor and activist. It was a call to those in attendance – indeed, to those everywhere – to carry on Brown’s battles for equality in all walks of life.
“This was a complete man,” said Hall of Fame member RAY LEWIS. “This man, he had to fight and continue to fight. His persistence …
“He taught me about the power of belief and what does it mean when everybody is against you and you find the power to get back up.”
Lewis, whom Brown himself unofficially anointed as his replacement in their fight for respect and dignity, was followed on stage by John Wooten, Brown’s former teammate in Cleveland and the former chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which has led the cause for African American coaches and executives in football.
Watch "The Life & Legacy of Jim Brown," a celebration of life for the Cleveland Browns legend here:
Wooten, himself a finalist for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 in the Coach/Contributor category, channeled the persuasiveness and leadership of Brown by getting everyone in attendance to stand and chant “For Human Dignity” and “Respect Everybody” during his speech.
“I say to all athletes,” Wooden added: “Take it upon yourself to be involved in your community.”
That was a theme of Brown’s life. Sure, football followers – certainly the myriad Browns fans in attendance – know all of the statistics and have seen all of the breathtaking video highlights. But Thursday’s event was about so much more. As Lewis noted: “He will be rejoiced in the hearts of every gang member and every Hall of Famer.”
As evidence, Rock Johnson, spoke emotionally of how Brown “saved my life.”
A former gang member, Johnson went to prison as a teenager and emerged in his 30s a different person due to Brown’s influence.
“He is the reason I am free and alive,” said Johnson, who was shot 11 times in his younger days. “I am here because of Jim Brown. I knew nothing about this man before I met him.”
Brown took Johnson under his wing and taught him to “turn the other cheek,” even when Johnson’s daughter was shot and killed. Choking back tears, Johnson called Brown “a man among men.”
Brown’s social work has been manifested in the Amer-I-Can Foundation for Social Change he created in 1988. The program, now run by his widow, Monique, presents a 15-chapter life skills curriculum designed to help students meet academic potential; conform behavior to acceptable societal standards; and improve the quality of their lives by equipping them to confidently and successfully contribute to society.
“He was a man who dedicated his life to being of service,” Monique Brown said. “Jim led with humanity, with strength – an uncompromising strength.”
Also remembering Brown and paying homage to all of the branches of his many careers were host Mike Tirico of NBC; Browns team owner Jimmy Haslam; singer Johnny Gill, who performed a stirring rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come”; and renowned boxing promoter Bob Arum – himself a Hall of Famer in that sport.
Arum hired Brown to do commentary on a heavyweight fight in 1965, making Brown the first African American sports broadcaster. In turn, it was Brown who essentially got Arum, then practicing law in New York, into the promotion business by hooking him up with Muhammad Ali. Through that association, Arum, who is white, had a ringside seat, if you will, to the development of a famed summit of Black athletes and activists that included Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“Before I knew it,” Arum said, “I was the promoter of Muhammad Ali.”
Thanks to Jim Brown.
“Jim had a vision,” Arum said, “that all people should have the opportunity to succeed.”
Thursday was declared Jim Brown Day in St. Simons Island, Georgia, where Brown was born and spent an early portion of his life before moving to Long Island. Cap Fendig, the commissioner of Glynn County, also urged everyone in attendance to support Monique Brown in efforts to establish a home on the island for struggling youngsters to learn the lessons Brown championed.
“Carry the vision they had together,” Fendig said.
Brown often expressed that powerful vision.
“Success is not only for the elite, the well-educated and the wealthy,” he would say. “Success is there for those who want it. Plan for it. And take action to achieve it.”