Jun 9, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns former player Jim Brown on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in game three of the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 09: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers smiles in the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the 2015 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 9, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. USA TODAY Sports, Getty Images
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Football legend Jim Brown applauds Cavaliers’ story of perseverance

‘The city of Cleveland refused to give up’

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown joins Russillo & Kanell to share how resilient Cleveland has been throughout its 52-year championship drought.

“In the end, it’s great to win this way,” Brown said. “They could’ve easily given up and got on a criticism binge. But they stayed with the team and they stayed with the Browns and they’ve been rewarded. I think it’s a great day for Cleveland. It’s a great day for me.”

Brown said three-time Finals MVP LeBron James “went to another level physically and mentally.”

Drafted in the 1957 by the Cleveland Browns, Brown spent a nine-year career as fullback. He was the leading rusher in the 1964 NFL championship victory over the Baltimore Colts, the last time one of Cleveland’s major pro teams won a championship. He was named the greatest professional football player ever by Sporting News and still holds the record for total seasons leading the NFL in all-purpose yards. He scored 100 touchdowns in 93 games, a record broken by LaDainian Tomlinson in the 2006 NFL season.

Kelley Evans is a digital producer at Andscape. She is a food passionista, helicopter mom and an unapologetic Southerner who spends every night with the cast of The Young and the Restless by way of her couch.