Jim Brown: LeBron James’ bow ‘one of my greatest sports moments’

Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown said LeBron James’ bow to him before Wednesday’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Cleveland was “one of my greatest sports moments.”

When LeBron James was captured by TV cameras bowing to Cleveland sports legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown before Wednesday’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the gesture captivated viewers as a sign of respect between two of the city’s most renowned athletes of all time.

A Vine of James’s bow had been played more than 358,000 times as of Wednesday night, and Brown discussed how much he was honored by the bow in an interview with ClevelandBrowns.com.

“It was one of my greatest sports moments,” Brown said. “It really was. I’m not a basketball player. I had one of the greatest seats on earth. I had no concept that LeBron even knew I was at the game. And when he made his gesture, it was just a great thing for an old guy.”

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Brown, 79, brought Cleveland its last major professional sports championship with the Browns in 1964. That 51-year title drought has resonated throughout this NBA season, James’s first back with the Cavaliers following a four-year stint with the Miami Heat. James has stated his desire to bring Cleveland another title as a main reason for his returning to the Cavaliers, and after Thursday’s 96–91 victory over the Golden State Warriors, the Cavs are two wins away from making that happen.

[daily_cut.nba]“You know the city and the fans are hungry and ready,” Brown said. “Those people are crazy but the way it should be. People got outside of themselves. They enjoyed the moment so much, they forget themselves. That’s very rare people get that way at a sporting event. These guys can really bring a championship to Cleveland.”

Brown said a prior commitment will prevent him from attending Thursday’s Game 4 at Quicken Loans Arena, but should the Cavaliers win the Finals, he will be back for the championship parade.

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- Mike Fiammetta