Jim Brown

James Nathaniel “Jim” Brown former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by The Sporting News as the greatest professional football player ever.

Jim Brown hasn't made it back to Cotton Bowls very often since he played in the 1957 game, when his Syracuse Orangement were beaten by TCU 28-27. He accepted an invitation to return for this AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic because it will be the 75th.

Brown was one of 19 members of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame attending today's Big Play Luncheon at the Hilton Anatole and will participate in the coin flip before Texas A&M plays LSU on Friday night.

Brown’s 1,863 rushing yards in the 1963 season remain a Cleveland franchise record. It is currently the oldest franchise record for rushing yards out of all 32 NFL teams. While others have compiled more prodigious statistics, when viewing Brown’s standing in the game his style of running must be considered along with statistical measures. He was very difficult to tackle (shown by his leading 5.2 yards per carry), often requiring more than one person to bring him down.