In the case of the Browns and NFL icon Jim Brown, apparently time really does heal all wounds.
Of course, a change in leadership didn’t hurt, either.
Six years after an ugly rift developed between the Browns and the greatest player to ever don their uniform, the organization will immortalize the legendary running back with a statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Browns announced their plans for the statue Wednesday, when Brown also celebrated his 80th birthday and had his hall of fame career commemorated during an hourlong NFL Network special.
“It humbles me to be honored in this manner,” Brown said in a news release. “[Owners] Dee and Jimmy Haslam, thank you for the respect and love. Your investment in Cleveland is unparalleled. To the fans of the Cleveland Browns, I guess I’ll always be with you — thank you.”
Before the Haslams bought the Browns in 2012, the team and Brown were at odds.
Former Browns President Mike Holmgren stripped Brown of his executive adviser title in May 2010 and offered him a reduced role. Brown said he felt disrespected and criticized then-owner Randy Lerner for failing to deliver the message himself. He also ripped Holmgren in a letter and boycotted the unveiling of the franchise’s Ring of Honor in September 2010.
The Haslams, though, repaired the team’s relationship with Brown after ousting Holmgren. They hired Brown as the organization’s special adviser on May 29, 2013, and the statue is their latest gesture of ultimate respect.
“Everyone admires the incredible impact that Jim Brown has made for Cleveland, the Browns and the NFL throughout his lifetime, and we have had the special opportunity to know and learn from his contributions to our team on a personal level as well,” the Haslams said in a prepared statement. “It is only fitting that one of the most iconic professional football players and members of Cleveland and the Browns is commemorated with this statue as he will always be such a permanent fixture in our city.”
Despite Brown’s accomplishments on the field, not everyone is convinced he’s worthy of a statue because of a record of domestic violence against women. The topic generated plenty of debate on local sports talk radio Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the Browns commissioned nationally recognized sculptor and Lakewood native David L. Deming to build the statue, which will be placed near the southeast corner of the stadium.
A Browns spokesman said the team plans to unveil the statue during the 2016 season on alumni weekend, which is typically early in the fall, but the exact date won’t be set until the NFL releases the season schedule.
The Browns are also evaluating opportunities to recognize other major contributors to the franchise with commissioned pieces at the stadium.
This will be the first statue outside FirstEnergy Stadium and the fourth in downtown Cleveland recognizing a professional sports figure. The Indians have three statues outside Progressive Field: Bob Feller, Larry Doby and Jim Thome.
The Browns have a statue of late owner Al Lerner, Randy’s father, outside their headquarters in Berea.
Some prices drop
The Browns sent renewal letters to season-ticket holders Wednesday and informed them prices, for the most part, will remain flat this year.
Prices will actually decrease in limited sections in the upper end zone, and none will increase, a team spokesman said.
It’s the seventh time in the past eight years that prices have not increased. They were raised last year.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.