PHOENIX — During the annual NFL Honors, the league announced that the rushing title award was being renamed in honor of Cleveland Browns' legendary running back Jim Brown.
The Jim Brown Award will be presented each year to the NFL player with the most rushing yards each season.
Brown, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, spent nine seasons with the Browns between 1957-1965. His illustrious career consisted of a stat line of 12,312 rushing yards and 107 career touchdowns.
"It's hard to think of a player who has impacted the game and society as much as Jim Brown," said Commissioner Rodger Goodell. "His legendary accomplishments on the field were matched or exceeded only by his lifelong dedication to many off the field initiatives, including social justice issues, which have inspired generations of players that have followed him."
The Syracuse University product played in nine Pro Bowls and was named MVP three times during his tenure with the Browns. In eight of his nine NFL seasons, Brown led the NFL in rushing, averaging 104.3 yards per game.
"I saw first-hand the high regard players have for Jim a few years ago while attending a meeting with current players, said Goodell. "The room was loud…until Jim entered. Then the room instantly grew silent, which was every attendee's way of paying respect to one of the greatest players of all time. This award is our way of ensuring that recognition of Jim's impact on the NFL and society continues forever."
On Thursday night, the league announced that Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs was named the inaugural winner of the Jim Brown Award. During the 2022-23 season, Jacob rushed for 1,653 yards.