Age: 21
1st season in pro football
College: Syracuse
Height: 6’2” Weight: 220
Prelude:
Following an outstanding career at Syracuse, in which he distinguished himself as an all-around athlete (lacrosse, basketball, track & field) as well as in football, Brown was chosen in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Browns. With his blend of speed, power, and agility, he moved quickly into the starting lineup as a rookie.
1957 Season Summary
Appeared in all 12 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Rushing
Attempts – 202 [2]
Most attempts, game - 31 (for 237 yds.) vs. LA Rams
Yards – 942 [1]
Most yards, game – 237 yards (on 31 carries) vs. LA Rams
Average gain – 4.7 [6]
TDs – 9 [1]
200-yard rushing games – 1
100-yard rushing games – 2
Pass Receiving
Receptions – 16
Yards – 55
Average gain – 3.4
TDs – 1
Kickoff Returns
Returns – 6
Yards – 136
Average per return – 22.7
TDs – 0
Longest return – 29 yards
Scoring
TDs – 10 [2]
Points – 60 [8, tied with Gordie Soltau]
Postseason: 1 G (NFL Championship at Detroit)
Rushing attempts – 20
Rushing yards – 69
Average gain rushing – 3.5
Rushing TDs – 1
Kickoff Returns – 4
Yards – 106
Average per return – 26.5
TDs – 0
Longest return – 50 yards
Awards & Honors:
NFL MVP: AP, Sporting News
NFL Rookie of the Year: UPI, Sporting News
1st team All-NFL: AP, NEA, UPI, NY Daily News, Sporting News
Pro Bowl
Browns went 9-2-1 to finish first in the Eastern Conference. Lost NFL Championship game to Detroit Lions (59-14).
Aftermath:
Brown’s rushing title as a rookie in 1957 was the first of eight in nine seasons. Along the way he set numerous records as well as a new standard for running backs to be measured against. He twice set the single-season rushing record and retired as the all-time leader in rushing (12,312 yards) and touchdowns (126). Brown averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 104.3 yards per game over the course of his career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in all nine seasons, was a first-team All-Pro eight times, and received MVP recognition on three more occasions. Brown’s #32 was retired by the Browns and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1971.
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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself).
[Updated 2/15/14]