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Football legend Jim Brown applauds Cavaliers’ story of perseverance

‘The city of Cleveland refused to give up’

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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.