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Lot # 52: 1966 Jim Brown Pre-Retirement Cleveland Browns Player Contract

Category: Football

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 20 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2019 Winter Classic",
which ran from 1/4/2019 9:00 AM to
2/1/2019 10:00 PM



Beautifully framed contract concerning legendary rusher Jim Brown, relating to the 1966 season he never played. The contract agrees to pay Brown the sum of $70,000 for the year, but Brown retired in July 1966, just as the contract was about to kick in. Brown left the game in possession of nearly every rushing record, including most carries, most rushing yards, and most rushing touchdowns. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, eight-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time NFL MVP and was inducted into Canton in 1971. He has also been named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1960s and NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. The two-page contract was signed by Brown in October 1964, the year he won a championship with the Browns, and has also been signed by Art Modell, controversial former owner of the Browns. The contract has been framed to 18x20". Brown's foray into acting is likely the reason for his early departure from the Browns. In early 1966, production delays on a movie he was working on forced Brown to miss the first part of training camp. In response, Modell threatened to fine Brown $1,500 for every week of camp he missed. Instead, the iconic fullback elected to retire while still on top of his game; he led the league in rushing and rushing TDs in his final season.

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