Jim Brown Biography

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Jim Brown:
Trading in Cleats for a Suit

James Nathaniel Brown later known as Jim Brown was born February 17, 1936 in St. Simons Island, Georgia to parents Theresa and Swinton Brown. When he was just two weeks old his father, Swinton Brown a professional boxer, abandoned his family. Shortly after, his mother, Theresa Brown, also departed taking a job as a housekeeper in Manhasset, NY leaving Jim to be raised by his great grandmother for the first seven years of his life. At age 8 Jim reunited with his mother in Manhasset, NY where he had a difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings. Things improved for Jim once he found an outlet in playing sports. His athletic ability came natural. Although being the product of a broken home Jim went on to become one of the greatest professional athletes in the history of the United States. He was a 1st round 6th overall NFL draft pick in 1956 for the Cleveland Browns. During the 9 seasons he played Jim lead the league in rushing yards, and steered his team toward a championship against Baltimore winning with a score of 27-0. However even with all the success he had, and being at the peak of his career, Jim saw a life outside of football. At the age of 30 before the start of the 1966 season Jim announced his retirement. Some doubted he would stay away from football, but he never returned. (Jim Brown Biography) Instead he began focusing on social and economic causes that were directed at providing opportunities for Black people, especially Black business people (Simmonds).
The social message of Jim Brown’s career after football involved showing society, fellow athletes, and future athletes that there are other outlets after football. He didn’t want to be seen as just another wealthy athlet...

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...coming a public speaker for everyone he had to combine all of the different cultures and experiences that he learned overtime to create one culture and have one voice for everyone. His evolution from one career to the next was like the evolution of man. It evolved and transformed with every step until the achievement of greatness.
Jim Brown saw a life outside of football. He wasn’t interested in just being known as the greatest athlete of all time. He was interested in making the greatest contribution in the world. From breaking through acting barriers to taking on society’s ills his aim is to give a new generation the courage to succeed. His accomplishments off the field were more impressive than those on the football field. (Jim Brown Biography)
“My hope is to start a direction where these young men will be given respect and taught how to utilize it”. –Jim Brown

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