?We Lost a Hero Today?: Grieving LeBron James Joins Thousands of Fans in Offering Flowers to Late NFL Legend?s Legacy

NFL icon Jim Brown breathed his last on Thursday. 6-foot 2-inches. 230 pounds. Cleveland Browns powerhouse fullback Jim Brown lived true to his position. An NFL great, a champion social activist, and an actor, Jim Brown was all-in-one. The NFL’s all-time great passed away peacefully in his home in Los Angeles with his wife by his side at 87. As his Cleveland coach Paul Brown wrote in his autobiography, “As a pure runner he stands alone.”

As millions mourned his loss, they were joined by a man who became his friend later, LeBron James. He shared some of his memories with Brown in an emotional Instagram post, even speaking about the shifting impact the ‘incredible man’ had on him.

LeBron James mourns the loss of Jim Brown

Jim Brown became a global superstar, but he was first a son of Cleveland. Widely regarded as the greatest Cleveland Browns player of all time, the NFL legend was an unstoppable force throughout his career. He won a Most Valuable Player, a nine-time All-Pro, and shattered records during his stint in football. But most importantly, he inspired an entire city, including LeBron James.

The four-time NBA champion took to Instagram to share his condolences and a few of the valuable lessons Brown taught him. “We lost a hero today,” wrote James. “Rest in Paradise to the legend Jim Brown. I hope every Black athlete takes the time to educate themselves about this incredible man and what he did to change all of our lives,”

James regarded Jim Brown as a ‘God’ for those growing up in Ohio. And why wouldn’t he be? He was an icon for the Browns. But as The King became an athlete himself, he understood that Brown’s biggest contribution was his social work. Brown was a civil rights advocate who started the Black Economic Union as a medium to create jobs. It was also the place where he would invite Muhammad Ali and other influential African American athletes for the iconic ‘Ali Summit’. Jim Brown also started the Amer-I-Can, an association aimed to curb gang activity – a legacy that continues to this day.

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Fans join James in celebrating Jim Brown

It wasn’t just LeBron James who felt the loss of the great man. A swarm of fans paid their respects to the sporting legend, Jim Brown.

“Rest in power!!”

“We did lose a great hero honor him,” some fans wrote.

Brown was gifted with skills for a multitude of sports – basketball, track and field, and football. In 1983, He was titled the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, before he was designated to the College Football Hall of Fame 12 years later. It isn’t surprising that Lacrosse star Paul Rabil too commented, “rest in power Jim!”

2012 Masters Mr. Olympia Champion Dexter Jackson wrote, “R.I.P.” along with a goat emoji.

“THE GREATEST!!! JB32″

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Jim Brown will always be a legend, a pioneer, and a man who will never be forgotten. As far as his works and legacy go, athletes like LeBron James are making sure to take the mantle and continue forward in their strides.