Patriots Coach Bill Belichick Remains Inspired by Jim Brown

Legendary Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown has passed away at the age of 87, leaving a profound legacy on and off the field — as well as a deep friendship with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots were about to depart First Energy Stadium after a 38-15 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season, coach Bill Belichick asked his players to spend an additional moment on the field to reflect on some of the names adorning the franchises’ ‘ring of honor. ’ 

Also among those on the Browns’ list of honorees is the late, great Jim Brown. 

Brown passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on Thursday night; as confirmed by a spokeswoman for Brown's family, with his wife, Monique, by his side  

The renowned Browns icon, and revered social activist, is not only considered to be one of the greatest running backs of all time, he is also regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history. Brown was a Pro Bowl invitee during each season from 1957 through 1965. He was recognized as the AP NFL Most Valuable Player three times, and won an NFL championship with the Browns in 1964. He led the league in rushing yards in eight out of his nine seasons, while earning eight first-team All Pro selections. Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, while earning a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995, for his numerous accomplishments at Syracuse. An impressive multi-sport athlete, Brown was also inducted in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1983.

For Belichick, who began his head-coaching career in Cleveland in the early 1990s, Brown was the ideal example of on-field perseverance. He is still revered for his straight-froward running style — which involved combatively engaging opposing tacklers, thus making him one of the toughest running backs to tackle in the game’s history. His workman-like approach undoubtedly served as an inspiration for Belichick’s ‘Do Your Job’ coaching mantra, which has led to six Super Bowl titles in New England. 

Still, Belichick admiration for Brown led far beyond the football field.  

“He kind of stands above everybody with what he’s done for equality, what he stands for, what he was as a football player, what he is as a man,” Belichick said of Brown last October. “He’s meant so much to this game. He’s paved the way for all of us, players and coaches.”

Throughout his active, and post-playing careers, Brown was also a pioneer in championing both civil rights and social justice. In response to his own personal legal troubles, he founded the Amer-I-Can Program in 1988. In this endeavor, he worked with juveniles entrenched in both the Los Angeles and Cleveland gang scenes. Brown brought his life-management skills organization into inner cities and prisons with the intent not only to educate, but also to rehabilitate.

During his time in Cleveland, Belichick periodically accompanied Brown on his visits with the program, leaving an indelible impact on the 71-year-old which he maintains to this day.  

”I just have so much more respect and appreciation for him knowing him well as a person and a friend than I did as just an observer at a distance.“I think honestly any person, football player or otherwise, can learn a lot from Jim Brown and what he represents and what he stands for.”

In turn, Brown also held Belichick in the highest regard. In fact, he relayed his sentiments pertaining to the Pats coach in a conversation with Sports Illustrated from April 2002. 

“Let me tell you about someone I do admire. Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots has contributed more to the work I surround myself with than any black athlete in modern times--financially, intellectually, everyway. He's been in the prisons with me. He's met gang members in my home; he's met gang members in Cleveland [where Belichick coached the Browns from 1991 to '95]. He's put up money. He's opened up areas of education for us very quietly and very strongly. Imagine what would happen if Michael Jordan did the same thing.”

-Jim Brown on Bill Belichick, April 2002.

As the football universe mourns Brown’s loss, Belichick and the Patriots are likely to reflect on last year’s visit to Cleveland with reverence. Though the Browns and Patriots are not scheduled to meet in 2023, the example set by Brown will continue to teach and inspire for many generations to come. 

Ensuring that his players never forget Jim Brown’s legacy is perhaps the most fitting tribute Bill Belichick can provide to his legendary friend. 

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