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Jim Brown walked away from the Cleveland Browns on this day in 1966

Today marks the anniversary of one of the darkest days in Cleveland Browns history: the day that Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown walked away from the NFL at the age of 30.

And, as with most of the dark moments in franchise history, this one can be placed at the feet of then-owner Art Modell, the only man in the history of the National Football League to lose money running an NFL franchise.

Following the 1965 season, a year where Brown led the NFL in rushing with 1,544 yards (the eighth time in nine years he led the league) and in rushing touchdowns with 17 (the fifth time he posted double figures in rushing touchdowns and the fifth time he led the league), Brown left for London to begin filming The Dirty Dozen, part of a three-picture deal he had with Paramount Studios.