Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown wore this jersey during his nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns. Among the most recognized football greats in American history, Brown’s legacy encompassed breaking down racial barriers in Hollywood, building African-American owned businesses, and combating gang violence in inner-city communities.

Born February 17, 1936, Brown spent his childhood in coastal Georgia where his grandmother instilled a sense of self-reliance. By 1944, Brown moved to New York with his mother and excelled at multiple sports in high school and went on to play football, lacrosse, basketball, and compete in track at Syracuse University. During his senior year, he was selected as a First-Team All-American member in both football and lacrosse.

Brown entered the NFL draft in 1957. The Cleveland Browns selected him during the first round. Brown set outstanding records in rushing, touchdowns and yardage throughout his career, earning the highest individual recognition in the NFL—Most Valuable Player—three times.

While still in the NFL, Brown began transitioning to acting with supporting roles (e.g., Rio Conchos, 1964). He became America’s first Black action hero on film and aspired to lead roles in hopes of enhancing the positive depictions of African Americans on screen.

Brown advocated for black economic development, gang-violence prevention, and life-skills training through charitable efforts such as his Amer-I-Can program. He strived to inspire the next generation of inner-city youth with the same sense of self-determination, pride, and independence that he gained through his childhood in Georgia, his athletic career, and his success in Hollywood.

The jersey pictured above is now in the collection of theSmithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visitors to the museum can view this object in the “Sports: Leveling the Playing Field” exhibition.

Credits and Sources:

2014.30.1 - Cleveland Browns football jersey worn and signed by Jim Brown, ca. 1965. Manufactured by: King O'Shea. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

"Amer-I-Can Home." Accessed January 7, 2016. http://www.amer-i-can.org/.

Gitlin, Marty. Jim Brown: Football Great & Actor. Minnesota: ABDO Publishing, 2014.

"Jim Brown Bio." Pro Football Hall of Fame. Accessed January 7, 2016. http://www.profootballhof.com/players/jim-brown/biography/.