04/18/24
September 02, 2010
Jim Brown Goes to Town on Mike Holmgren: NFL legend Jim Brown is skipping his own ring of honor induction with the Cleveland Browns this season and has fired off an angry public letter to team president Mike Holmgren about how he's been treated by the organization. "Your most powerful statement about me was that, and I must laugh, one monkey don't stop the show," Brown wrote to Holmgren. "I've never danced in the end zone, I always gave the ball to the referee, so you should know I don't dance. ... Mike, there's only one thing that I control in life, and that's being a man."
This whole thing sucks mostly for the fans. I don't blame Brown for being pissed from going from a consultant to a mascot without cause. I don't blame Holmgren for wanting to run the team as he wants. But, the Cleveland Ring of Honor with Jim Brown around is pretty lame.
posted by bperk at 09:27 AM on September 02, 2010
If I remember correctly, Jim Brown used to have the ownership's ear (like a lot of guys) and interfered in the operation of the franchise and when Holmgren came in, that stopped. Seems like the issue is that Jim Brown doesn't feel as loved and powerful as he once was.
Of course airing his grievances like he did, he sounds less like a tough guy from the east side and more like a spoiled aging legend who needs a hug.
posted by jc at 10:09 AM on September 02, 2010
You mean to tell me that really bad actor also played football? [/Eurosnark]
posted by JJ at 10:45 AM on September 02, 2010
Of course airing his grievances like he did, he sounds less like a tough guy from the east side and more like a spoiled aging legend who needs a hug.
Well, I hope he doesn't call 911.
posted by grum@work at 11:36 AM on September 02, 2010
You mean to tell me that really bad actor also played football?
He was actually pretty good in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
posted by BornIcon at 01:29 PM on September 02, 2010
The big thing for Jim Brown is "being a man". That means a certain set of things to him. That includes things like having his wife draft the letter for him.
Personally, I think Jim Brown is one of the most important historical figures in American sport and society. I'm not so sure that gives him free reign all over the Browns organization though.
The one thing that does strike me as odd as I read this though, is that at no time did I ever see comparisons drawn between Jim Brown's "early retirement" and LeBron's staged exodus from Cleveland. Maybe it was the general filter I imposed for most of the "Decision" coverage that blocked it, but it surprises me that it hasn't been made more of a comparison.
posted by Spitztengle at 02:03 PM on September 02, 2010
If you haven't seen it, I do recommend it. Jim Brown: All American.
posted by Spitztengle at 02:04 PM on September 02, 2010
No doubt in the future Mike Holmgren will be credited with saying "one monkey don't stop the show" even if he never said it. Such is the nature of sports history.
posted by graymatters at 03:00 PM on September 02, 2010
does anyone doubt that the quotation will wind up in the FHOF???..."one monkey doesn'r stop the show"...what helmet or number will that appear under?
posted by wildbill1 at 04:22 PM on September 02, 2010
Wow. Talk about divergent accounts.