Career Timeline of Jim Brown: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jim Brown, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jim Brown was a dominant NFL running back for the Cleveland Browns (1957-1965). Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players ever, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors every season, won three AP NFL MVP awards and led the league in rushing yards eight times. Brown led the Browns to an NFL championship in 1964 and retired holding most major rushing records. Beyond football, he was also known as a civil rights activist and actor.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1957: Joined Cleveland Browns

In 1957, Jim Brown started his professional football career by joining the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL).

1958: Broke Single-Season Rushing Record

In 1958, Jim Brown broke the single-season rushing record with 1,527 yards and was named MVP.

1958: Led League in All-Purpose Yards

In 1958, Jim Brown led the league in all-purpose yards.

1961: Led League in All-Purpose Yards

In 1961, Jim Brown led the league in all-purpose yards.

1963: Single-Season Rushing Record

In 1963, Jim Brown set the single-season rushing record with 1,863 yards.

1963: Cleveland Browns Franchise Record

Jim Brown's 1,863 rushing yards in the 1963 season remains a Cleveland franchise record.

1964: Acting Career Begins

Before the 1964 season, Jim Brown began his acting career, playing a buffalo soldier in the Western action film 'Rio Conchos'.

1964: Led League in All-Purpose Yards

In 1964, Jim Brown led the league in all-purpose yards.

1964: NFL Championship with the Browns

In 1964, Jim Brown won an NFL championship as a player for the Cleveland Browns.

1965: Final Season with Cleveland Browns

1965 marked Jim Brown's final season playing fullback for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.

1965: First Black Televised Boxing Announcer

In 1965, Jim Brown became the first black televised boxing announcer when he announced the Terrell–Chuvalo fight in the United States. He also suggested a boxing career to Bob Arum.

1965: Third MVP Award

In 1965, Jim Brown won his third league MVP award.

1965: Retired from NFL

Jim Brown retired from the NFL in 1965, holding the record for yards-per-carry by a running back until 2012.

July 1966: Retired from the NFL

In July 1966, Jim Brown retired from the NFL at age 30, while filming 'The Dirty Dozen' in England.

1966: Founded the Negro Industrial Economic Union

In 1966, Jim Brown founded the Negro Industrial Economic Union, later known as the Black Economic Union (BEU), to promote economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses. The BEU secured loans and grants to support community initiatives.

1966: Filming 'The Dirty Dozen'

In early 1966, Jim Brown was filming 'The Dirty Dozen' in London, which led to a dispute with the Cleveland Browns owner and ultimately his retirement from football.

1967: Cleveland Summit Meeting

In 1967, Jim Brown participated in the Cleveland Summit with Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Carl Stokes, to support Ali's civil rights stance and opposition to the Vietnam War. This put their reputations and careers at risk but was a "significant turning point for the role of the athlete in society".

1968: Jim Brown's Interview with Ebony Magazine

In 1968, Jim Brown stated in an interview with Ebony Magazine about the importance of establishing industries and commercial enterprises to create a sustainable economic base for the African American community.

1968: First Lead Role in 'The Split'

In 1968, Jim Brown was cast in his first lead role in 'The Split', and also starred in 'Ice Station Zebra'.

1969: Starred in 100 Rifles

In 1969, Jim Brown starred in '100 Rifles' and had a love scene with Raquel Welch, marking one of the first interracial love scenes in a major Hollywood movie.

1969: Cinematic History with 100 Rifles

In 1969, Jim Brown's role in the film '100 Rifles' marked cinematic history by featuring interracial love scenes.

1974: Starred in 'Three the Hard Way'

In 1974, Jim Brown starred with Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly in 'Three the Hard Way'.

1978: Worked as Color Analyst for CBS

In 1978, Jim Brown worked as a color analyst on NFL telecasts for CBS, teaming with Vin Scully and George Allen.

1982: Appearance in One Down, Two to Go

In 1982, Jim Brown appeared with Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly, and Richard Roundtree in 'One Down, Two to Go'.

1983: Mused About Comeback

In 1983, 17 years after retiring, Jim Brown considered coming out of retirement to play for the Los Angeles Raiders because he disliked Franco Harris' running style, however he ultimately didn't return to football.

1987: Acted in 'The Running Man'

In 1987, Jim Brown appeared opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in 'The Running Man', playing the character Fireball.

1988: Founded the Amer-I-Can Foundation

In 1988, Jim Brown founded the Amer-I-Can Foundation, which aimed to divert gang members and prisoners from violence by teaching them life skills. He also helped establish the Watts truce between rival street gangs in Los Angeles.