Jim Brown (February 17, 1936 – May 18, 2023) was an American professional football player and actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back in the NFL with Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever. He is considered to be one of the greatest American professional athletes ever. He also starred in several films, including He’s Got Game and Any Given Sunday.