Card: 1958 Topps Football Card #62

Team/Position:Cleveland Browns / Runningback

Cost: About 80 Bucks

I probably overpaid as this is topping out at a PSA 3, but more likely we’re dealing with the 1 to 2 range.  But Goshdarnit, what a card!

The ’58 version of Topps included Brown’s first card, but the design itself isn’t all that stunning.

It’s definitely beautiful in it’s simplicity, but if you’re looking for a “Holy Shit!” card of Jim Brown, it’s Topps’ next endeavor:

1959 Topps really makes Brown look regally badass which is exactly how the man played the game.  The 1958 card produced in Brown’s second year is a beautiful photo, but the 1959-version pictures a man that could run you and your entire family over.  The 1959-version can be had at a very reasonable price and I’m sure I’ll be grabbing one at some point.

What Made Jimmy Brown Special?

Anyone who’s watched a football game knows Jim Brown’s story:  NFL HOF, NCAA HOF, Lacrosse HOF.

Brown was without a doubt, the best runningback ever to lace up a pair of cleats.  Many of his records have been broken, but comparing greats like Sweetness, or Emmitt Smith is blasphemy.  The only runningback that’s within an earshot of Jim Brown was Barry Sanders, who we’ll get to later.

Brown’s Accolades

9 Pro Bowls in 9 Epic Seasons.

3 NFL MVPs in 9 Seasons.

12,312 Career Yards with a 5.2YPC average.

106 Touchdowns (on the ground)

Basically, everyone knows everything about Brown, right?

I find it somewhat repetitive to rant and rave about Brown’s power running style, so instead I’ll tell one of my favorite stories.

Coming into the 1957 draft, Cleveland was falling on it’s face on route to an eventual 5-and-7 finish.  Otto Graham had retired after the ’55 season and Cleveland needed a Quarterback — Paul Brown needed a Quarterback!

Paul Brown was eying Len Dawson, Big-10 Quarterback extraordinaire from Purdue. One problem, though; The Pittsburgh Steelers picked before the Browns and they needed a quarterback too. The Steelers eventually got their man and while Dawson eventually went on to have a HOF-career, much like Johnny Unitas, it was with another team.

Without Dawson on the board, Paul Brown had no choice but to select Jim Brown out of Syracuse university.

It’s strange to think of everything in context, but maybe the Philadephia Eagles select Brown instead of Clarence Peaks.  The entire story can be found here.

What’s Brown Up To These Days?

Brown’s doing his thing:

..and quite honestly, it still looks as though the man could suit up for half the teams in the NFL.

Brown’s currently an executive adviser for the youngins at his former team.  In addition, he’s still working hard with his Amer-I-Can program, which definitely deserves a shout-out.