NFL and Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown has died

Jim Brown, one of the most important football players in NFL history, passed away Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles in the company of his wife.

The famous sports star died at the age of 87 after a brief but successful career that saw him inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

Brown was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1957 and played for them until 1965. During that time, he managed to break several records. He was named the NFL's most valuable player three times.

He played in 118 games, rushed for more than 12,000 yards on more than 2,000 times and scored 126 touchdowns. However, at only 29 years of age and at the peak of his career as an athlete, Brown decided to retire to become an actor.

The star went on to appear in more than 30 films including productions such as “Any Given Sunday” and “The Dirty Dozen.”

Brown later also focused on fighting for human rights and creating programs to curb gang violence in Los Angeles.

"Jim Brown is a true icon of not just the Cleveland Browns but the entire NFL. He was certainly the greatest to ever put on a Browns uniform and arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history," stated Dee and Jimmy Haslam, owners of the Browns. They also highlighted Brown’s commitment to making a positive impact on all of humanity.

"We learned so much from him about the unifying force sports can be and how to use sport as a vehicle for change while making a positive impact in the community," they said.