Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 32

The best player to wear No. 32 for the Cleveland Browns isn’t up for debate

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 32 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to ever wear number 32: Jim Brown.

Jim Brown was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 6th overall pick in the 1957 NFL draft out of the University of Syracuse. He was the third ball carrier selected, with two halfbacks being chosen with the first two pics of the 1957 draft. Whether or not he considered being the third ball carrier drafted a slight or not is unknown. What we do know is, as a rookie, Brown led the league in rushing and was named the NFL MVP.

From there he never looked back. Brown would go on to win two additional MVPs and lead the NFL in rushing another seven times. In fact, when Lamar Jackson won the NFL MVP in 2019, it was the third time someone under the age of 23 had won the award, the other two were both Jim Brown.

Brown’s career numbers are absolutely absurd. In the history of the NFL, Brown is the only running back to average over 100 rushing yards per game. At the time of his retirement, Brown owned every major career rushing record. Brown’s 12,312 career rushing yards in only 118 games will never be surpassed.

Perhaps what is the most impressive part about Brown’s statistical accomplishments is that he attained them when everyone knew what was coming but just could not stop it. Brown was the most dominant player of his generation and statistically, he is the most dominant running back of all time. He added to his legend by leaving the game at the height of his power, coming off an MVP season in 1965 and retiring before reporting to training camp because of a dispute with team owner, Art Modell.

Brown was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 and was named to the 1960s All-Decade Team. When the NFL named their top 100 players of all time, Brown was the first player named to the list. Brown had his number retired and was the first player inducted into the Browns ring of honor in 2001. He was also honored with a statue outside of First Energy Stadium in 2016.

Jim Brown just may be the most iconic football player to have ever played the game. Brown’s playing career is surrounded by a mythos that would rival the likes of Paul Bunyan or John Henry. The mark that Brown left on the playing field was indelible and everlasting. Even without an abundance of game tape and despite retiring from football 55 years ago, Brown’s name still comes up in the greatest NFL player of all-time debate.

When it comes to the question of who the best player to ever wear number 32 for the Browns is; there is only one answer. When it comes to who the best player to ever wear number 32 in the NFL is, again; there is only one answer.

When it comes to who the best player to ever wear number 32 in the history of professional sports is, the answer is simple…it is Jim Brown.