Athletically he was Bo Jackson of his time. (Best Lacrosse player ever?) Factoid which caught my eye was he never missed an NFL game while making All Pro a zillion times.
I played golf with him about fifteen years ago. God he liked to bet. We had automatic presses for modest amounts so we probably had eight or ten wagers going at once. Smart guy. He tracked them all accurately. Most in his head. He just wanted to have fun by making each putt worth a few dollars. I don’t even recall who won but it was a good afternoon.
By then in his mid -seventies, he was past his demons and a very decent man focused on his causes like helping prisoners rehab successfully into society. He truly embodied the medieval virtue of “Ransom the hostage.” (Here not forgetting those behind bars.)
RIP
Jim Brown RIP
Re: Jim Brown RIP
He was a woman beater over and over again. A real POS. Athletic ability doesn't trump that.
We deserve so much better
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PeteRasche
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Re: Jim Brown RIP
A couple of weeks ago, I randomly heard he was an All-American in lacrosse, considered one of the best ever. Also heard that they changed the rules because of him. I wondered what that was about.
A few days later, again randomly, I was talking with my son's lacrosse coach and somehow it came up. Turns out he'd get the ball in his stick, hold the stick against his chest, and just run through the defense and (obviously) nobody could catch him or stop him. So basically he was using his football RB skill and size to simply plow through defenses and nobody could get the ball without illegally hitting him in the body with their stick. Realizing this was an unfair advantage to players with physical size, strength, and speed (and requiring less lacrosse-specific skill), the various lacrosse governing bodies changed the rule so you can't hold the ball against your body anymore.
A few days later, again randomly, I was talking with my son's lacrosse coach and somehow it came up. Turns out he'd get the ball in his stick, hold the stick against his chest, and just run through the defense and (obviously) nobody could catch him or stop him. So basically he was using his football RB skill and size to simply plow through defenses and nobody could get the ball without illegally hitting him in the body with their stick. Realizing this was an unfair advantage to players with physical size, strength, and speed (and requiring less lacrosse-specific skill), the various lacrosse governing bodies changed the rule so you can't hold the ball against your body anymore.
Re: Jim Brown RIP
So maybe he was most effective lacrosse player ever. No different than Bill Russell who caused lanes to be widened in the fifties to stop him from getting easy putbacks of missed free throws and the like.
When they change the rules to stop one player then you know that guy must be great
More importantly by his later life, Brown displayed mercy and embodied forgiveness of others; perhaps in response to the forgiveness that was extended him for the misdeeds of his youth?
When I knew Brown briefly in later life, he was as far from a POS as you could imagine. The pastor who arranged our meeting admired him greatly and used his very large ministerial resources to support Brown’s efforts. This minister would not have enabled a POS with a one off handout much less the very material support, he extended to Brown’s efforts.
That minister knew we only stay in the damned club if we choose to. We can and do change for the better. Brown embodied that.
When they change the rules to stop one player then you know that guy must be great
More importantly by his later life, Brown displayed mercy and embodied forgiveness of others; perhaps in response to the forgiveness that was extended him for the misdeeds of his youth?
When I knew Brown briefly in later life, he was as far from a POS as you could imagine. The pastor who arranged our meeting admired him greatly and used his very large ministerial resources to support Brown’s efforts. This minister would not have enabled a POS with a one off handout much less the very material support, he extended to Brown’s efforts.
That minister knew we only stay in the damned club if we choose to. We can and do change for the better. Brown embodied that.
Re: Jim Brown RIP
He was a serial woman beater. A minister selling his soul for financial gain doesn’t negate that.
We deserve so much better
Re: Jim Brown RIP
Kicking the living out of those you know and don’t isn’t a path to righteousness much less thumping the dead while you are at it.
There is a reason why virtually every faith and denomination considers forgiveness and charity cardinal virtues. For many here, ours has been successfully road tested for thousands of years. I’ll stick with those living those virtues.
There is a reason why virtually every faith and denomination considers forgiveness and charity cardinal virtues. For many here, ours has been successfully road tested for thousands of years. I’ll stick with those living those virtues.
Re: Jim Brown RIP
Kicking and thumping women isn’t the path of righteousness.
We deserve so much better
Re: Jim Brown RIP
I am not excusing his transgressions. As a football player, he was the best I have seen in my lifetime. Every week his opponents’ game plan was designed to stop him, and he was still unstoppable.His team had a below average passer (Milt Plum). The Cleveland Browns’ best receiver, Bobby Mitchell, was mistakenly played at running back (remember when the Buffalo Bills initially made OJ Simpson a wide receiver).