When great people die, there is a tendency to go to extremes in memorializing them.
People either deify or demonize them.
A future example will be O.J. Simpson.
One the day he dies, those who eulogize him will need to remember that he was once a great athlete.
It will be easy, too easy, to focus on his murder trial, his arrest on other charges, incarceration, and everything attached.
When we look at him today, we often forget that he was “The Juice.”
One of the most popular football players of his era.
Hertz commercials.
Movies.
Fame and fortune.
Then oblivion.
Jim Brown was one of the greatest college athletes ever – excelling in football, lacrosse, basketball, and track and field.
Jim Brown was the greatest pro football running back ever. He is still the only running back to average over one hundred yards rushing for his career.
He retired in his prime to become a motion picture star, becoming the first Black action movie hero.
He leveraged his fame and connections to fight for civil rights and created organizations to reach gang members and other at-risk youth.
Then and now, he deserves to be celebrated.
But to talk honestly about Jim Brown, we also have to discuss the unpleasant aspects.
He initiated numerous assaults, mostly involving women.
Even though there is much to celebrate about Brown in his public life, in his personal life, Brown chose violence.
That was the wrong choice for anyone, but especially for a man who stood 6’2” and weighed 230 lbs. in his prime.
He was wrong, and in later years, he acknowledged wrongdoing:
"There is never a justification for anyone to impose themselves on someone else. And it will always be incorrect when it comes to a man and a woman, regardless of what might have happened. You need to be man enough to take the blow. That is always the best way. Do not put your hands on a woman."
So Jim Brown wasn’t perfect, which makes him human.
But he accomplished much that was good.
Taking him in, the man in full, we recognize both the good and bad.
We celebrate the good.
We acknowledge the bad.
Which is the truest, fairest thing we can do.