Jim Brown's contemplated '84 comeback at age 48

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"Gaining 1,000 yards in a 14-game season is like walking backwards," says Brown. "Gaining 1,000 yards in a 16-game season isn't even worth talking about. The standards today are lower, the conditions are easier and the expectations are less." He will concede this to Harris: "Franco is having a lovely performance in his twilight years." Then he gets in a jab. "If Franco hangs around long enough," Brown says, "and keeps running out of bounds, he'll get my record."

Brown blames sociological changes for wiping away the "passionate human spirit" with which he says he played the game. "Where are the heroes, the gladiators?" he asks. "We need more Jim Plunketts, Ted Hendrickses, Lyle Alzados, Jack Lamberts and John Rigginses. They are throwbacks to the old days. Today's heroes are insulated by their money. They're more worried about their women and their drugs. The Lady [cocaine] and the ladies go together. Cocaine is the prettiest lady of them all."

Brown calls the NFL today a big hoax. "Where has the danger in the game gone?" he asks. "I can't accept quarterbacks sliding and running backs running out of bounds. Ever since the merger in 1966 and the creation of the Super Bowl, the owners have been more concerned with ratings than the level of the game. Coaches put up with players waving into TV cameras, giving high fives and spiking the ball. That sells. The Monday Night Football broadcasters have become bigger than the game. Who is kidding whom?"


That's an excerpt from that very 12/12/83 SI cover article which I just read (Jim Brown posing in a Raiders uniform on that very cover). I always thought it was '82 when this was news. I do remember it along with he and Franco competing in some athletic competition.

How close, indeed, was he to actually making himself that very NFL comeback and what stopped him? And why the Raiders and not a team who actually needed a RB (and wasn't already wearing #32)? Yes he was living in LA, and admired the players/characters, and felt they embodied that tough throwback spirit of what the game should be, but still.

As for Brady's supposed retirement? If it's not a rumor, I will make this prediction...(said this before, actually)...after a couple years or so, he'll get 'bored' and do the very thing that Jim Brown didn't do - and that's make a comeback in his late-40s.

[Brian wolf]

From what I read, Franco easily beat Brown in a 40 yrd dash which was expected. Davis probably thought about signing him but knew better. Alot of what Jim said was true though when he played, he understandably rested more when he was supposed to be pass blocking.

I dont think Brady will retire without trying to make a run for the Niners. This day of ESPN-led hoopla will put even more pressure on Garoppolo to win but Jimmy Whiteshoes may rise to the challenge again ...

[RichardBak]

Personally, I agree pretty much with everything No. 32 says in that piece. It's only gotten worse in the four decades since that story ran.