Jim Brown

How did Jim Brown impact the civil rights movement?

Jim brown led the “Cleveland Summit” which was a meeting between him, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Muhammad Ali because Ali was facing jail time because he refused to join the draft. This meeting provided a unified front between the athletes and increased African American resistance to the Vietnam War.

Black Economic Union and Why He Became an Activist Jim Became a civil rights activist because he was inspired by the black freedom movement’s emphasis on self reliance and community. With these ideals Jim Brown and former Chiefs RB Curtis McClinton helped found the Black Economic Union. The Union pursued a capitalistic economic approach to racial equality. During the unions most active period (1968-1974) the union helped 400 African American owned businesses.

Amer-I-Can FoundationBrown founded the Amer-I-Can foundation to help formerly incarcerated youth develop job skills, get an education and improve the quality of their lives.

Overall Impact On Civil Rights

Jim was one of few athletes in the 1950s to speak out on racial issues when the civil rights movement was growing, even though he became more active after his retirement in 1965. Jim also called on other African American athletes during this time to become more active off the field in support of the civil rights movement.

NFL Stats/Awards

• ROTY in 1957
• Only player to win MVP as a rookie
• 4 time MVP (1957,1958,1963,1965)
• Won all NFL honors 8 times
• Pro bowler In all 9 seasons
• Won championship in 1964
• Inducted to HOF in 1971