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Jim Brown reuniting with Browns

ESPN.com news services
Updated: September 18, 2012, 9:16 AM ET

CLEVELAND -- Jim Brown and the Cleveland Browns are getting back together.

The Hall of Fame running back, who has had a rift with his former team for several years, plans to take part in alumni events this weekend when the Browns host the Buffalo Bills.

Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said the 76-year-old Brown recently informed the team that he will be in Cleveland for Sunday's game, when the Browns will induct former players Ernie Green and Clarence Scott into their legends club. Brown also told former teammates of his intentions at the funeral for former owner Art Modell in Baltimore last week.

It will be Brown's first time at Cleveland Browns Stadium in more than two years. He has been at odds with the club since team president Mike Holmgren removed him from his role as an adviser to owner Randy Lerner, who is selling the franchise to Jimmy Haslam III. Holmgren offered Brown a reduced role with the team, but he declined.

Brown was so hurt by Holmgren's decision to change his position with the team that he boycotted a ceremony in 2010, when the Browns unveiled a ring of honor inside their stadium. Brown's absence overshadowed and diminished the event, and his estranged relationship with the Browns has been a sore point for all parties involved.

Always outspoken, Brown also made headlines earlier this year when he criticized the Browns for drafting running back Trent Richardson in the first round. Brown described Richardson as "ordinary," and the man who helped revolutionize the running back position said he "didn't see anything outstanding" about the rookie back.

On Sunday, Richardson rushed for 109 yards and scored two touchdowns in his second NFL game as the Browns lost 34-27 at Cincinnati.

Richardson has said Brown's comments have motivated him.

In a telephone interview Monday with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Brown said he was impressed with Richardson's performance against the Bengals.

"I only saw highlights of the game, but the one he scored on the pass showed an ability that they drafted him for," Brown told the newspaper.

Brown told the Plain Dealer that he wasn't trying to "discourage anybody" with his comments earlier this year about Richardson. But he said Monday that Richardson still has to prove he has what it takes to carry the Browns.

"Richardson has to show he can consistently carry a team," Brown told the newspaper. "The Browns have had some players that looked like they could, and it didn't work out. (Peyton) Hillis had a lot of talent. I was surprised we got him for what we did (for Brady Quinn)."

Hillis left the Browns after last season, signing a contract with the Chiefs. Interestingly, Quinn also is with the Chiefs, as the team's backup quarterback.

In June, Holmgren said he was open to renewing a relationship with Brown.

"I would like Jim Brown to come and be a part of this and feel comfortable doing that and I would welcome him with open arms," Holmgren said. "How the Browns view Jim Brown hasn't changed and will never change. I would love to see Jim Brown walk in right now or come to the Legends thing, be a part of this."

It's not known if Brown will meet with Holmgren while he's in town over the weekend. The two are certain to cross paths as the Browns have an alumni golf outing scheduled for Friday, a private dinner at the stadium on Saturday, and Green and Scott will be inducted into the legends club during halftime on Sunday.

Brown rushed for 12,312 yards in nine seasons with the Browns before he unexpectedly retired to pursue an acting career. He is the franchise's career leader in rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns.

Brown's No. 32 was retired by the Browns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Linky

Meh.

I think your sig line fully encompasses my feelings on this.

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"Richardson has to show he can consistently carry a team," Brown told the newspaper.

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Running backs don't really "carry a team" the way they used to.. maybe that is the part that Jim needs to come to grips with...

I would very much rather every penny spent on Jim Brown be spent on Bernie Kosar. Not at all interested in being associated with JB anymore.

Why? He is one of the top five all-time players and he played for our team. I would always want to be associated with that person.

If he makes the decision to leave that's fine, but if he wants to come back I'd welcome him back with open arms.

He returns as we show signs of getting good...

If it comes to asking him any professional questions related to the sport..I would rather be asking Bernie.

If we want Brown to autograph things and be in ceremonies that is fine. Celebrating his accomplishments as a running back is fine.

But last I heard they were paying him 500k a year to be an adviser, when i don't really think he knows what he is talking about. What on earth are they paying him to do? I would much rather be paying Bernie, who is having money problems, is congenial, and is smart as a whip.

I personally cant stand it when Jim Brown opens his mouth.

I agree that he shouldn't be on the payroll. I also don't think Kosar should be on the payroll other than for what he is doing.

Let the people who are trained do what they do.

Also, who cares what Jim Brown says? At this point he is the crazy old guy. Let the crazy old guy be crazy.

I'm glad to see a reconciliation happening.

I'm glad he's coming around although maybe he sees a chance to make money working with the team now that Haslam is around and Holmgren is likely to be on his way out.

I'm glad he's coming back. Id like to see he and Bernie honored the same say before a game as Bernie should be put into our ring of honor or whatever they have.

I was wondering if Modells death may have made him realise that life is indeed short and he is one of the best players to play the game in his time.
Im glad he wants to get involved in celebrating the glory days that he was a big part of.
Its good for the fans, the team, and himself. Imho

Welcome home Jim Brown.

How long until he takes credit for Richardson play?

"I was just trying to motivate the kid."

I've always been a fan of Jim Brown the football player, but honestly, as a man, I've not been his greatest fan.

I'm a gnats eyelash away from not caring one way or the other..

Pretty sure both are in the Ring of Honor. In fact, that's when the main Jim Brown detachment began.

Jim Brown " The Man " has had his share the " Who am I really " moments in his life .. Folks that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones Jim .. I had the great pleasure of watching Jim Brown the Consume t Running Back , carry the Rock and the Team on his back .. Always in Ah ..

Kiss . make up , and carry on .. He and TR might become fast friends

Kosar isn't in the "Ring of Honor".

As to my feelings about Jim Brown "coming home"... don't care. The man means nothing to me.

Dude must not be getting enough press in his self imposed exile.

It is worth noting that I am in my mid 20s.

My first exposure to Jim Brown was in the movie Mars Attacks (No joke).

In my entire life he has been nothing but a bitter old man wearing goofy hats, saying mean things about my team, and acting in bad movies. His historical play means very little to me.

I recognize that people who actually watched him play would think far more of him than I.

If you want to see him acting in a good movie, watch The Dirty Dozen. Excellent flick and he does a nice job.

Very understandable .. Being one of the OLD guys on thee board gives noticeable different reference points .. That's why History ( Browns 1st / American 2nd and World 3rd ) are so very important ..

My favorite jim brown movie is "Mars Attacks"... just sayin...

Or he's a crazy old guy, who just says crazy crap out of bitterness and for attention.

Jim Brown called TR ordinary out of bitterness. He wasn't trying to motivate him. Now he wants to put pressure on the new owner to give him another job. He beat women and is a racist. I can't stand Jim Brown. Stay away.

If Jim Brown would have wanted to motivate him he would have requested a meeting and explained to him about what it felt like to win championships and be adored as a Brown and how he can be a big part of leading us back there... not calling him ordinary... I guess he didn't want to motivate Weeden.

Byron!

Jim Brown is back, and the Browns need to make it a permanent relationship again



Sep 21, 2012
By Tony Grossi

Extra Points …

All about respect: The thing that’s been consistent throughout Jim Brown’s life is that he doesn’t need to be liked. He doesn’t need to be honored with statues or Rings of Honor to feel validated.

Jim Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Unlike most inductees, he never visited Canton again – until 36 years later. He came to honor the induction of teammate and guard Gene Hickerson in 2007.

The image of Hall of Famers Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly pushing Hickerson in his wheelchair on the stage in Fawcett Stadium on that night was the most dramatic moment I’ve experienced as a Hall of Fame selector. Stricken by dementia and Alzheimer’s, Hickerson had a full appreciation of the event, his family insisted at the time.

What Jim Brown always wanted, always longed for, was respect. And so it was that his perceived disrespect shown by the Browns – not only from Mike Holmgren but also from Randy Lerner -- was always behind his messy parting with the organization in 2010.

Brown was “executive advisor” to Lerner at the time and was paid a hefty $500,000 to do whatever Lerner asked of him. Holmgren wanted to remove Brown from the layer of management he inherited as new surrogate owner. Holmgren made an offer of about $100,000 to retain Brown essentially as an “ambassador.” Brown would have had more respect for Holmgren if he had just fired him altogether.

In an interview with reporters at the Browns’ alumni golf outing at Avon Oaks this morning, Brown for the first time disclosed Lerner’s role in the parting. Instead of firing Brown himself, he left the dirty work to Holmgren, Brown indicated.

“I had an agreement with the Browns and a part of the agreement was that I answered to no one except the owner,” Browns said. “Randy and I never had a talk. Holmgren and I had the talk that Randy and I should have had.

“When Randy flew out to be with me to talk about being a part of the Browns, no one was there but him and I. So, in my mind, I felt that whatever happened, it would be between him and I. So when Mike stepped up, it was like an alien to me because Mike had no history in Cleveland

“He was in one of those positions where he was talking to a guy that he wasn’t really legally allowed to talk to because I had in my contract I answered to nobody but Randy. So it was difficult for him. And what he proposed was not something that I felt was very respectful. Being an old man, old people like to be respected.”

T-Rich in the middle: When Brown made the comments a day before the draft that Trent Richardson was “ordinary,” I believe he was taking out his hurt feelings toward the Browns on Richardson. He knew Richardson was likely to be heading to the Browns. He also knew his comments on any running back that follows him are weightier, perhaps, than they should be.

Later, he explained in an interview with me that there was “nothing outstanding” about Richardson’s game. I felt the bitterness of his Browns’ parting was coming through.

But I also knew that Brown’s stinging comments would serve the positive purpose of motivating Richardson to greatness as a pro. Richardson feeds off people’s doubts, and when the greatest runner of all time is doubting you, that’s a tremendous motivator.

“There’s no disrespect in waiting to see a person prove himself,” Brown said today. “If you’re going to pick out a future Hall of famer, you want to truly believe that this guy’s got that kind of talent. So if you tell me he has that kind of talent and I don’t see it, I’m going to respond that way.

“The great thing about sitting here today is that I saw a flash of the talent. And I loved it. Why wouldn’t you love to see a running back make two, three, four, five moves and shed those tacklers? Because ultimately you have to break tackles. So I was happy to see him show that kind of talent. And if he showed it on two, three plays, you know he has it. And if he works hard enough, dedicates himself, deals with the right attitude and has the good fortune of not being injured then he can have, I think, a real fine career.”

He’s our No. 32: Brown will meet new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on Saturday for the first time. He said he would love to have a role with the Browns. I believe Haslam, who owes nothing to Brown, should create a role for Brown. Maybe Brown would find the role of franchise ambassador a respectful one now. At 76, there isn't too much more for him to do, really.

Every bedrock NFL franchise like the Browns has its own living legends. It is in the best interest of the Browns to have their living legend in good standing with the franchise and its fans. He is and forever will be a part of the Browns' family history.

“I’m stuck with being No. 32 of the Cleveland Browns,” Brown said. “Can’t do anything about it. Don’t want to do anything about it.

“You don’t have to like my politics. The fact is we are married because of that history. And if I can be a part of the development of a new, winning attitude … man, that would be fantastic.

“Can you imagine having a championship team again?”

And when the Browns are truly back as a relevant NFL team again, you want Jim Brown speaking to the team on the eve of the Super Bowl.

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=5271

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And when the Browns are truly back as a relevant NFL team again, you want Jim Brown speaking to the team on the eve of the Super Bowl.

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Who is "you?"

I certainly don't want Jim Brown ever speaking either to or for the organization ever again.

It's a shame that Brown has always been a bitter person. Now that he's elderly, he's just a bitter old man. He cannot even muster up the courage to apologize for what was an obvious slam on Trent Richardson. Of course one cannot apologize if one never admits what he actually said and instead lies about it.

I don't view Jim Brown as a hero. I view him as a pariah.

It's ironic that Jim Brown ridicules Holmgren because he doesn't have any history in Cleveland. Uh-huh...this coming from a man who turned his own back on his history of the Browns for years. And because of what? More bitterness.

If the Browns want to honor Jim Brown, fine, but I cringe at the thought of that man ever speaking even remotely on behalf of the organization ever again. He should start by apologizing for all of his poor words and petulant actions over the decades. Maybe then he'd be worth forgiving.

It's ironic how little respect he's ever shown considering how much he demands from other people, deserved or otherwise...