Sports

Jim Brown, All-Time NFL Great And Social Activist, Dead At 87

Published

11 months ago

2023-05-21

Jim Brown's No. 32 jersey was retired by the Browns in 1971,

Jim Brown was a force on the field, a Hollywood film hero, and a civil rights activist.

Jim Brown, who retired at the pinnacle of his playing career to pursue acting and remained in the public eye as an activist despite off-field misdeeds that included claims of violence against women, has died. He was 87.

Jim Brown died quietly in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, according to a spokesman for his family, with his wife, Monique, by his side.

“To the rest of the world, he was an activist, actor, and football star,” said Monique Brown in an Instagram post. “He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather to our family.” “Our hearts are shattered.”

Brown was one of the NFL’s earliest superstars, leading the league in rushing for eight of his nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He never missed a game, appearing in 118 straight before retiring unexpectedly in 1965 after being selected Most Valuable Player.

Jim Brown led the Browns to their final championship in 1964 before retiring from football at 30 to pursue a film career. He was in over 30 films, including “Any Given Sunday” and “The Dirty Dozen.”

Jim Brown’s debut as a big runner with speed and stamina boosted the game’s rising popularity on television, and he remained an indomitable figure long after his playing days were through.

Jim Brown was also a champion for African-Americans, using his position and voice to advocate for equality.

Jim Brown organized “The Cleveland Summit,” a gathering of the nation’s top Black sportsmen, including Bill Russell and Lew Alcindor, who eventually became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in June 1967 to support boxer Muhammad Ali’s refusal to serve in Vietnam.

Later in life, he tried to reduce gang violence in Los Angeles, and in 1988, he launched Amer-I-Can, a program to assist poor inner-city kids and ex-convicts.

There was no one on the field like Brown, who would run through tacklers, refusing to let one man take him down before running away from linebackers and defensive backs. He was also known for shedding defenders in the open field with a stiff arm or pushing them away like rag dolls.

Jim Brown died quietly in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, according to a spokesman for his family, with his wife, Monique, by his side.

Brown would carefully stand and walk back to the huddle after being tackled, then dominate the defense when he got the ball again.

Jim Brown was a complicated figure off the pitch.

While he had a heart for those in need, he was also arrested a half-dozen times, primarily for beating women.

Jim Brown’s wife contacted 911 in June 1999, claiming Brown had damaged her car with a shovel and threatened to murder her. Monique Brown recanted her testimony throughout the trial. Jim Brown was acquitted of domestic threats but found guilty of misdemeanor vandalism. When Brown refused to undergo domestic violence counseling, a Los Angeles judge sentenced him to six months in jail.

Jim Brown left his playing days behind and moved to Hollywood, where he eventually settled. Brown announced his retirement to Cleveland coach Blanton Collier while the club was at training camp, and he was on the set of “The Dirty Dozen” in England.

Jim Brown’s relationship with the Browns has been erratic in recent years. He was appointed to advise the team’s younger players after serving as an adviser to owner Randy Lerner. However, Brown left the team in 2010 after incoming team president Mike Holmgren curtailed his responsibilities. Brown felt betrayed by the apparent demotion, and he did not attend the club’s unveiling of a “Ring of Honour” inside its downtown stadium in protest.

In 2016, the Browns built a statue of Brown outside their stadium.

Jim Brown was a complicated figure off the pitch.

In recent years, Brown has made only a few public appearances. In February, he attended the NFL Honours ceremony, where the league revealed that the league rushing title would be renamed The Jim Brown Award.

Brown was an eight-time All-Pro and appeared in the Pro Bowl every year of his nine-year career. He retired with league records in yards (12,312) and touchdowns (126).

Brown, born on February 17, 1936, in St. Simons Island, Georgia, was a multisport star at Long Island’s Manhasset High School. He averaged 14.9 yards per rush in football and once scored 55 points in a game.

Brown, a two-sport star at Syracuse who some consider the best lacrosse player in NCAA history, experienced several racist slurs while playing at the nearly all-white institution. Nonetheless, he was a two-sport All-American and lettered in basketball.

Brown was selected sixth overall in the 1957 draught, joining a team that frequently competed for the championship. That season, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Jim Brown’s No. 32 jersey was retired by the Browns in 1971.

Brown broke a league record with 1,527 yards and 17 touchdowns while running behind an offensive line that included Hall of Fame tackles Lou Groza and Mike McCormack on his way to the league’s Most Outstanding Player award — a precursor to the MVP — in 1958. He never ran for under 1,257 yards in the next three seasons, closing with 996 in 1962.

Jim Brown’s No. 32 jersey was retired by the Browns in 1971, the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. During the 1970s and 1980s, however, he rarely visited Cleveland. He and Cleveland owner Art Modell clashed over his premature resignation; the two eventually reconciled and remained friends.

In 1995, Brown-backed Modell’s decision to relocate Cleveland’s team to Baltimore. It was both a reflection of his devotion to Modell and evidence of his uncompromising individuality. Brown was one of the few former Browns players who was not upset with Modell’s decision to relocate the franchise.

“And for him to come out on top is something that not many guys can appreciate.”

Brown is survived by his wife, Aris, son, Jim Jr., daughter, Kimberly, son, Kevin, daughter, Shellee, and daughter, Kim. Karen Ward, his daughter, preceded him in death.

SOURCE – (AP)

Sports

Kansas Adds AJ Storr After He Led Wisconsin In Scoring This Season

Published

5 hours ago

2024-04-18

Kiara Grace

AP News - VOR News

AJ Storr is transferring to Kansas after scoring the most points for Wisconsin this season.

Storr announced on Thursday via social media that he was making this move “with great excitement and humility.” Later Thursday, Kansas formally confirmed the signings of Storr and former South Dakota State guard Zeke Mayo.

AP news – VOR News Image

Kansas Adds AJ Storr After He Led Wisconsin In Scoring This Season

“Joining the Jayhawks is a dream realized, and I’m incredibly honored for this opportunity to be a part of the tradition and culture of Kansas Basketball,” Storr wrote on his Facebook page.

It was a busy day for Wisconsin transfer news, as Badgers point guard Chucky Hepburn confirmed on social media that he would also be joining the portal.

Storr, who stands 6-foot-7, averaged 16.8 points and 3.9 rebounds for Wisconsin this season, helping the Badgers finish 22-14. Wisconsin received a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but lost 72-61 to James Madison in the first round.

Mayo revealed his commitment to Kansas on social media two weeks ago. This season, he was named Summit League Player of the Year after averaging 18.8 points and helping South Dakota State earn the conference’s automatic NCAA invitation. The Jackrabbits lost 82-65 against Iowa State in the tournament’s first round.

badger Notes – VOR News Image

Kansas Adds AJ Storr After He Led Wisconsin In Scoring This Season

Kansas will be Storr’s third school in as many seasons. Storr began his college career at St. John’s, where he averaged 8.8 points during the 2022–2023 season.

While Storr only spent one year at Wisconsin, Hepburn was a three-year starter. As a freshman, he helped Wisconsin win a share of the Big Ten regular-season title in 2022 by hitting a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left in a 70-67 victory over Purdue.

This past season, Hepburn averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals. He averaged 12.2 points per game during the 2022-23 season and 7.9 points per game in 2021-22.

“As I embark on this new chapter and enter the transfer portal, please know that my decision is not a reflection of anything lacking at Wisconsin,” Hepburn wrote in an Instagram post announcing his decision and thanking Wisconsin’s players, coaches, and supporters. “Rather, it is an opportunity for me to explore new alternatives and continue my journey towards my dreams.

bloximages – VOR News Image

Kansas Adds AJ Storr After He Led Wisconsin In Scoring This Season

“I appreciate all Wisconsin has given me. I will take the teachings and memories I learned here with me wherever I go, and I will always be happy to be a Badger.”

SOURCE – (AP)

Celebrity

Travis Kelce Named Host Of ‘Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?’ For Prime Video

Published

6 hours ago

2024-04-18

Kiara Grace

Tv Line - VOR News Image

Travis Kelce’s NFL off-season with the Kansas City Chiefs has been a busy one.

The Super Bowl LVIII-winning tight end is the host of a new game show called “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” for Prime Video, the streaming service confirmed Tuesday. Filming for the 20-episode season has already completed.

Travis Kelce Named Host Of ‘Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?’ For Prime Video

The premise is a twist on “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”, which debuted on Fox in 2007 and was hosted by Jeff Foxworthy. It also aired in syndication. John Cena hosted a 2019 revival for Nickelodeon.

In Travis’ show, an adult contestant will be given 11 elementary-level questions where they can ask a classroom of various celebrities for help answering.

Travis Kelce Named Host Of ‘Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?’ For Prime Video

The final question is from the 6th grade curriculum and is worth $100,000. Only one celebrity is allowed to talk through the answer to the last question with the contestant.

Travis, who is dating music superstar Taylor Swift, said in a statement he grew up watching game shows and is “excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons.”

Travis Kelce Named Host Of ‘Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?’ For Prime Video

This isn’t Travis’ first TV gig. He starred in his own 2016 dating competition show for E! called “Catching Kelce” and hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live” last year.

SOURCE – (AP)

Sports

‘Once In A Lifetime’: What Caitlin Clark Said After Being Selected At No. 1 In The WNBA Draft

Published

2 days ago

2024-04-16

Kiara Grace

©VORNews Image

Few things in professional sports have been as guaranteed as Caitlin Clark’s selection first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft.

The former Iowa Hawkeyes standout, the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer in men’s and women’s basketball and holds the women’s record for the most points scored in a single season, will begin her professional career with the Indiana Fever.

Clark, who helped attract record-breaking TV viewership and sellout crowds in venues throughout the country during her final collegiate season, says she is most excited to bring her passing skills to the Fever, a skill she believes “gets overlooked.”

Caitlin Clark after record-breaking NCAA career at Iowa: VORNews Image

Clark, who helped attract record-breaking TV viewership and sellout crowds in venues throughout the country

The 22-year-old is especially excited about the opportunity to play with Fever forward Aliyah Boston, who was unanimously named the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year after being selected first overall in the draft last year.

“I think the scoring and the long shots is what everybody falls in love with,” Clark said. “Then, moving to an organization with one of the best post players in the world [Boston].

“My point guard eyes lit up at that. Aliyah has previously been one of my colleagues [on the Under-19 Team USA roster]. I’m excited. I can’t wait.

“There’s a lot to say about her: The Rookie of the Year is one of the greatest players in the league, in my opinion. As I already stated, my primary responsibility as a point guard is to pass the ball to Aliyah every day. That is what I am going to do. I’ll go in there and say, ‘Make a layup.’ She is going to make my life easier.

“She’s amazing, but what I love most about her is that she’s a wonderful person. She enjoys the game, is familiar with it, supports it, and has a grin that touches many people and delights them when they see her. “I can’t wait to be her teammate again.”

Clark has had an “insane” time recently.
Clark claims the last few weeks have been “pretty insane.”

She only had two days at home after losing to South Carolina in the NCAA Championship Game, just enough time for a home-cooked lunch from her mother before going to Los Angeles and then New York for the draft on Monday.

“I think the biggest thing is I’m just very lucky to be in this moment, and all these opportunities and things, they’re once in a lifetime,” she adds, reflecting on a hectic few months.

“When things get boring or you have to do something, I believe the most important thing is to look at it as an opportunity. This is not something that everyone gets to do. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m trying to soak up every moment of it because I know how quickly things can change, and I have a lot of people on my side.”

Clark has been filming a documentary for ESPN and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, where she also serves as an executive producer, and will appear alongside new Chicago Sky draftee Kamilla Cardoso and UCLA Bruins player Kiki Rice.

“If you’re a women’s basketball fan or not a women’s basketball fan, I encourage you to watch the show when it comes out,” Clark said. “I have seen bits and pieces. It’s simply great.

“It really allows you to understand the student-athlete for way more than just a basketball player, and I think that’s really important.”

Clark has pursued a variety of off-court ventures in addition to her basketball career, including sponsorships, name, image, likeness (NIL) agreements, and business prospects.

She is unquestionably one of the most marketable athletes in the United States, with her new Fever jersey allegedly selling out the instant she was drafted.

‘Once in a lifetime’: What Caitlin Clark said after being selected at No. 1 in the WNBA draft. VORNews Image

Clark has been filming a documentary for ESPN and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions

Clark feels her experience juggling numerous aspects of her life and dealing with high pressure and expectations in college will serve her well in the WNBA.

“If I’m being completely honest, I feel like it doesn’t change a ton from how I lived my life over the course of the last year,” she said.

“Sponsorships remain the same. People around me, including agents, have been able to assist and guide me over the last year. I’m unsure I’d be where I am now if it hadn’t been for several of them.

“My mom and dad have done a lot. That, I believe, is the most significant factor. “My advice is to just lean on the people around you,” Clark continued.

“I do not have to do everything. In college, I always stated that my primary emphasis was basketball. That’s why I’ve had so many other opportunities in my life: it’s because of how I conduct myself and play the game.

“In my professional career, I intend to do the same thing. My main focus is basketball, and I strive to be the best I can.”

Clark will graduate from Iowa on May 14, and she says it’s “pretty exciting” not to have to go to school. She adds that her “110% focus” is now on her professional basketball career.

She joins a squad that hasn’t had much success in recent years. The Fever’s last playoff trip came in 2016 when they fell in the first round to the Phoenix Mercury.

Clark said the team’s major goal is to “get back to championship habits.”

Caitlin Clark joins rare company to hold NCAA records across men’s and women’s basketball.. VORNews Image

Clark, who helped attract record-breaking TV viewership and sellout crowds in venues throughout the country

“I’m very lucky to be going to an organization that really loves women’s basketball,” she said. You saw it today. I believe they had 17,000 tickets claimed for just watching the draft. That reflects the excitement in Indianapolis. It’s an excellent basketball city.

“Obviously, the Pacers’ postseason performance this year has been exceptional. I suppose I am just excited. As you mentioned, the club has a lot of young potential, and the goal is to get back to the playoffs and win as many basketball games as possible.”

The new WNBA season begins on May 14, with training camps starting on April 28 and preseason games on May 3.

SOURCE – (CNN)