July 13, 1966: Jim Brown announces that he will step away from football after nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, turning his attention to acting and race relations. Still at the top of his game, the 30-year-old Brown's decision came by surprise to many.
Brown notified owner Art Modell via a letter and a long distance call from London where he was one of the stars in "The Dirty Dozen."
In his final season Brown lead the league in rushing with 1,544 yards and scored 21 touchdowns.
At the time of his retirement, Brown held 15 NFL individual records, including most rushing yards in a game, a season and a career.
Brown lead the league in rushing for eight of the nine seasons he played. He ended with 2,359 carries, 12,312 rushing yards (5.2 yards per carry), and 128 touchdowns.
Brown made the Pro Bowl in each season he played, and was first team All-Pro every year except for 1962.
His career average of 104.3 rushing yards per game has never been surpassed.
He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
