Every NFL team’s greatest running back of all time
By Randy Gurzi
RB. . player. 53. Scouting Report. 1957-65. Jim Brown. Pick Analysis
There was a day when the Cleveland Browns were the best team in the NFL. After dominating the AAFC in the 1940s, Cleveland moved into the NFL and won four championships in that league early on — before the title games were called Super Bowls. The final championship they won came in 1964 and the best offensive player at that time was none other than fullback Jim Brown.
Drafted No. 2 overall in 1957, Brown was an absolute beast on the field. He was a 232-pound power back who would trample opponents. Brown won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after gaining 942 yards and nine touchdowns that season. Just to show how talented he was as a runner, that wound up being the lowest yardage total Brown ever recorded in his nine-year career.
It was also just one of only two times he didn’t hit the 1,000-yard mark, with the other coming in 1962 when he registered 996 yards and 14 touchdowns. Brown was also named the Pro Bowl in every season he played and eight times was an All-Pro First-Team selection.
When he hung up his cleats, the Pro Football Hall of Fame runner had 12,312 yards which were the most in the league until Walter Payton surpasses him with the Bears.
For Cleveland, it remains the most rushing yards in team history — and Brown remains one of the most iconic figures. Not only has he been revered by the fans, but the organization honored the Pro Football Hall of Famer by having a statue put up in front of their home stadium.