Could Jim Brown play in the NFL today?

[Galloping Ghost]

We got into a debate over at BBF over, of all things, whether Jim Brown could play in the NFL today. I believe Brown's immense athletic ability carries through any era. I have no idea what his stats could be today but if Frank Gore can have success it's not a big leap to believe Jim Brown could play in today's NFL. What say you Pigskin Fever?

[KHenry14]

Assuming you don't mean as a 70 year old... :rofl:

I firmly believe that he could play, but he probably would need to be in the right system. People don't run now like he did then, mostly because if you tried that you wouldn't last long in the league. Nothing against Jim, but he didn't get hit like they hit now. Which means he would have been successful, just not for as long as he did in his career.

[football junkie]

Nothing against Jim, but he didn't get hit like they hit now.

I kind of disagree with that statement. It is true that players are bigger, stronger and faster today then they were forty years ago. But what you might not be accounting for is the dirty factor. Defensive players were allowed to do all sort of thing that they are allowed no longer: clotheslining, tackling helmet first, targeting knees, hitting way, way late and many, many more.

Jim Brown would benefit from all the rule changes over the decades that have put many a linebacker and safety seemingly in a skirt. And let's not forget, he'd have no size problems. He is 6'2" and played around 230 lbs.

As for his career being shortened. It was pretty short to begin with. But like most of today's "factor backs" he'd likely be washed up by the 29 to 31 age range.

BTW ... my father was at Syracuse the same time as Brown and swears he's still better than any running back he's seen since. Of course, he's biased.

[Galloping Ghost]

The main argument against Jim Brown is that defensive players are bigger, stronger, and faster. That is true of course. However, Brown would have bigger, stronger, and faster offensive line and blockers as well.

[Galloping Ghost]

BTW ... my father was at Syracuse the same time as Brown and swears he's still better than any running back he's seen since. Of course, he's biased.
I've read that Brown played basketball and ran track at Syracuse as well as football and lacrosse. Does your father know what events Brown ran in track?

[football junkie]

I've read that Brown played basketball and ran track at Syracuse as well as football and lacrosse. Does you father know what events Brown ran in track?

I have no idea. But I could ask him the next time I see him.

[Seattle1]

Assuming you don't mean as a 70 year old... :rofl:


Back in the 80s at some point there were rumors that Brown was seriously considering coming out of retirement (he was in his early 40s). IIRC he even posed on the cover of SI in a Raiders uniform.

[Galloping Ghost]

I have no idea. But I could ask him the next time I see him.

Cool Thanks junkie. :thumbsup:

[KHenry14]

There's no doubt that the league today doesn't feature guys like Chuck Bednarik who'd closeline you and then stomp on your gut while you were on the ground. ;) But back in 1960, no way did the defenses feature so many big talented guys as they do today. A 1960 team might have a Night Train Lane, but it didn't have a Lane and a Butkus on the same team. Now you have big hitters at every position on defense, not just at MLB.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe that Jim Brown would have been an excellent back today, but his career would have been more like Earl Campbell's career, brilliant, but short.