MVP Profile: Jim Brown, 1958

Fullback, Cleveland Browns

Age: 22

2^nd season in pro football & with Browns

College: Syracuse

Height: 6’2”    Weight: 228

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, leading the league in rushing with 942 yards that included a single-game record at the time of 237. He received MVP as well as Rookie of the Year honors, was a consensus first-team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

1958 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 257 [1]

Most attempts, game - 34 (for 182 yds.) vs. Chi. Cards 10/12

Yards – 1527 [1]

Most yards, game – 182 yards (on 34 carries) vs. Chi. Cards 10/12

Average gain – 5.9 [5]

TDs – 17 [1]

100-yard rushing games – 9

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 16       

Yards – 138

Average gain – 8.6

TDs – 1

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 74

Average per return – 24.7

TDs – 0

Longest return – 35 yards

All-purpose yards – 1739 [1]

Scoring

TDs – 18 [1]

Points – 108 [1]

Postseason: 1 G (NFL Eastern Conf. playoff at NY Giants)

Rushing attempts – 7

Rushing yards – 8

Average gain rushing – 1.1

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 2

Yards – 18

Average gain – 9.0

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns – 2

Yards – 61

Average per return – 30.5

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

NFL MVP: AP, UPI, NEA, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFL: AP, NEA, UPI, NY Daily News, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Browns went 9-3 to finish in a tie for first in the Eastern Conference while leading the NFL in rushing (2526 yards, 5.3 avg. gain). Lost Eastern Conference playoff to New York Giants (10-0).

Aftermath:

Brown’s record-setting rushing title in 1958 was the second 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 broke his own single-season rushing record in 1963 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 two more occasions. Brown’s #32 was retired by the Browns and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 1971.

--

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 2/6/14]