Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown indicated he feels disrespected by the Browns after being relieved of his executive advisor role earlier this year on a Syracuse radioi show...
Jim Brown indicated he would like to be respected more by the Browns..CLEVELAND -- Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, who's original plan was to skip the Brown's Ring of Honor ceremony on Sept. 19, indicated on a Syracuse radioi station today that he feels disrespected by the organization.
Speaking on a The Score 1260 in Syracuse, N.Y., Brown responded to a question about possibly skipping the ceremony for the first time: "I'm a very sensitive person. I do like to be respected. I'm very loyal. I like it to be a two-way street.
"I've been very quiet about the situation in Cleveland. Sometimes when you comment on things all you do is create problems. The last thing I want to do is create problems for anyone or disrupt the team or ownership or the plans of other people. On the other hand, as an individual I have plans of my own. I have a dignity and character of my own that I also protect. I don't really need to comment on where I go, why I go, why I don't go. All the people involved are doing all the commenting. They're the ones with the power. I'm just an individual who played football and worked for the Browns for a while....My main work right now is to help the players pension plan and health care situation....Those of us well enough off financially should chip in and start the ball rolling so that these players can be given the respect that baseball and basketball give their players.''
Browns President Mike Holmgren said during a press conference today to announce the Ring of Honor that he spoke with Brown a couple of days ago and that he trust Brown will attend the ceremony honoring the Browns' 16 Hall of Famers.
He said "rift' is too strong a word to describe the situation between the Browns and Brown and that he's acknowledged from day one how important he is to the organization. He said his responsibilities have changed, but that he still wants Brown to be a part of the Browns' family and come back and speak to the rookies and attend other team functions.
Brown had been an executive advisor to the team, but was relieved of that title after Holmgren took over as president.
Fellow Hall of Famer Paul Warfield said he'll try to encourage Brown to attend the ceremony if he gets the opportunity. .