Long before former Browns running back Jim Brown grew into one of the most storied players in professional football, he dominated the playing fields of New York, from Long Island to Upstate.
So on Wednesday, Brown — a former Syracuse and high school standout — was inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
At Manhasset High School on Long Island, Brown was a multisport athlete (he lettered in football, basketball, track and field, lacrosse and baseball) and in 1952 was honored with the Thorp Award, given to the most outstanding football player in Nassau County.
Brown also collected awards for his other athletic pursuits: He was Newsday All-Scholastic selection in basketball having averaged 38 points a game; he placed first in the high jump at the Nassau County Track and Field Championship; and, last but not least, he was an All-Metropolitan Lacrosse League midfielder.
After lettering in four sports at Syracuse, Brown went on to play nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, guiding the franchise to the 1964 NFL Championship. Considered perhaps the best running back of all time, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Brown, who will be honored with a statue at FirstEnergy Stadium this fall, remains a special adviser with the Browns.
