Jim Brown named 2012 PwC Doak Walker Legends Award recipient

DALLAS, TEXAS – The PwC SMU Athletic Forum has named Jim Brown, former Syracuse University and Cleveland Browns star running back, as the recipient of the 2012 PwC Doak Walker Legends Award. The award was created in 1998 to honor former running backs that excelled at the collegiate level and went on to distinguish themselves as leaders in their communities.

Brown will accept his trophy at the Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet on Friday, February 15, 2013, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. Brown joins an impressive list of past recipients: Tommy McDonald (2011), Jim Taylor (2010), Eric Dickerson and Craig James (2009), Calvin Hill (2008), Marcus Allen (2007), Walter Payton (2006), Jim Swink (2005), John David Crow (2004), Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis (2003), Earl Campbell (2002), Tony Dorsett (2001), Pete Dawkins (2000), Archie Griffin (1999), and Gale Sayers (1998).

Brown was a unanimous All-America selection in 1956 as a senior at Syracuse. The versatile halfback also handled place kicking for the Orange, and once accounted for 43 points (six touchdowns and seven extra points) in a 61-7 victory over Colgate. In addition to football, Brown lettered in basketball, lacrosse and track & field while at Syracuse and he was widely considered the best lacrosse player in nation. Brown is a member of both the College Football and National Lacrosse Halls of Fame.

The Cleveland Browns drafted Brown in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft, and he went on to win Rookie of the Year honors. In nine seasons with the Browns, he established the NFL single season rushing record (1,863 yards) and the career rushing record (12,312 yards). Brown was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine NFL seasons and is the only back in NFL history to achieve a career average of over 100 yards per game. Brown retired from the NFL after nine

seasons and went on to a career in acting and dedicated himself to community service. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

“Jim Brown personified excellence at the running back position both with Syracuse and the Cleveland Browns," said Thomas W. Codd, PwC North Texas Managing Partner. " We honor Jim, not only as a transcendent athlete who made extraordinary contributions to the game of football, but also as an individual who has committed his post-football life to serving inner-city youth and young adults through programs to better their lives.”

Doak Walker epitomized leadership, sportsmanship, and academic and athletic achievement during his outstanding career at SMU. Walker was a three-time All-America choice who won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 1948, was a first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions, led the

team to NFL championships in 1952 and 1953, and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

About the PwC SMU Athletic Forum

Honoring the legends of sports for 24 years, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum celebrates outstanding success in athletics. Based in Dallas, the series features major figures from a variety of sports. The PwC SMU Athletic Forum includes four luncheons and the prestigious Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet.

PwC Doak Walker Legends Award recipients are nominated by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, and then chosen by the Forum’s Board of Directors.  For more information, visit  www.smu.edu/doakwalker.

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