Jim Brown dies aged 87 as tributes paid to NFL legend and Cleveland Browns hero

NFL legend and prominent civil rights activist Jim Brown has died at the age of 87, his family has confirmed.

Cleveland Browns icon Brown passed away peacefully on Thursday evening with his wife Monique beside him at their Los Angeles home.

“To the world he was an activist, actor and football star,” his wife said. “To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Our hearts are broken.”

The running back rose to stardom after entering the league in 1957, breaking a series of records before retiring at the peak of his powers in 1965 – being named the league’s most valuable player for the third time in his final year having also claimed the award in his rookie campaign.

He was the star man on the Browns’ title-winning team in 1964, but he soon turned his hand to acting and he appeared in dozens of films including Any Given Sunday, The Dirty Dozen and The Running Man.

At the height of his stardom with the NFL booming in popularity in the 1960s – which coincided with civil rights movement across the United States – Brown used his platform to become a leader of the Black Power movement.

Alongside the likes of boxing icon Muhammad Ali and Basketball great Bill Russell, Brown played a leading role in the fight for equality.

The Browns described their most iconic player as a “Legend, leader, activist and visionary” in a tribute.

“It’s impossible to describe the profound love and gratitude we feel for having the opportunity to be a small piece of Jim’s incredible life and legacy,” the statement continued.

“We mourn his passing, but celebrate the indelible light he brought to the world. Our hearts are with Jim’s family, loved ones, and all those he impacted along the way.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute to Brown’s impact on and off the field.

He said: “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Monique and their family. Jim Brown was a gifted athlete, one of the most dominant players to ever step on any athletic field, but also a cultural figure who helped promote change.

“During his nine-year NFL career, which coincided with the civil rights movement here at home, he became a forerunner and role model for athletes being involved in social initiatives outside their sport.

“He inspired fellow athletes to make a difference, especially in the communities in which they lived.”

A ferocious running back, Brown remains the Browns’ all-time rushing leader with 12,312 years and 106 touchdowns across nine sensational seasons, earning him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 1971.

Brown sits 11th in the NFL’s all-time rushing rankings, with his 5.2 yards per carry average the best of any player with more than 10,000 career rushing yards.