The Man Who Redefined the Game
A versatile and gifted athlete, Jim Brown broke barriers on and off the playing field
But at 71, Brown now seems less interested in sports than in broader social issues. During the civil rights era, he gained a reputation as a fiery spokesman for black equality, prominent enough to be monitored by the FBI. Even in the acting roles he took on after abruptly quitting the NFL in 1966, he broke down barriers. In 1969's 100 Rifles, he drew gaspsfor an interracial love scene. Today, Brown focuses on his Amer-I-Can program, which teaches life skills to prisoners and gang members.
Complicated. Despite his work promoting alternatives to violence, Brown's own life has been dogged by allegations of domestic abuse. He did prison time after refusing to attend domestic-violence counseling for vandalizing his wife's car. Brown points out that most claims of abuse never led to convictions and apologizes, in a fashion.
Asked about Brown as a person, Costello proceeds carefully. "I've always stood by him," he says. "He's a complicated person. He could be very hostile, or he could just be the nicest guy in the world." LaDainian Tomlinson, the current San Diego Chargers running back who became the first player to reach 100 touchdowns in fewer games than Brown, calls him "a father figure" and says he admires the way Brown wore down defenders so that, by the fourth quarter, he was the only one left standing.
Now late in life, Brown stands, as always, bruised but unbowed. Asked how he wants to be remembered, he swats aside others' opinions: "I don't want to be validated by anybody," he says. "Who's qualified to judge me?"
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