The Browns are honoring Jim Brown with a statue in his likeness this fall at FirstEnergy Stadium. And recently, the legendary Cleveland running back had the chance to see a model of the the statue before it's molded and cast.
"I'll always be a Cleveland Brown," Brown said, "so if ownership and the people of Cleveland are going to allow this to happen — present a statue — I can only feel good about it."
Nationally-recognized sculptor David L. Demming, whom the Browns commissioned to mold the statue, met with Brown and walked him through every square inch of the statue.
'The important thing for me is for this piece to not only work from a distance where you get the full impact of the energy of this run but then when you get in close you can see the beauty of the human form coming through these outfits," Demming said.
The statue — which will be built outside of the southeast corner of FirstEnergy Stadium — is set to be unveiled during the Browns Alumni Weekend this season.
Brown, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and considered one of the sport's greatest players, said he's humbled by the honor.
"I have great appreciation for the recognition," Brown said, adding, "so what it makes me do is what I can contribute to the success of this franchise and the success of this city trying to do the things I can do in a positive way to make the people of this area very proud."
Brown, who rejoined the team as a special adviser in 2013, led the Browns to the 1964 world championship, three league title game berths and four postseason appearances.
Brown is a three-time Associated Press MVP selection, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and eight-time All Pro. He led the NFL in rushing during eight of his nine NFL seasons and became the franchise's all-time career leader in rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns.
