You probably know Jim Brown as the guy who made NFL defenders look like they were trying to tackle a freight train. He’s the face of the Cleveland Browns, a three-time MVP, and arguably the greatest running back to ever lace up cleats. But there’s a persistent "secret" among old-school sports fans and historians: he might have been even better at lacrosse.
Honestly, that’s a terrifying thought. Imagine a man who dominated the most popular league in America essentially saying, "Yeah, this is my side hustle."
It wasn't just a hobby for him. Jim Brown playing lacrosse was a phenomenon that fundamentally changed how the game was played—literally. If you look at the rulebooks today, you can still see the "Jim Brown scars" left behind by a player who was so physically superior that the authorities had to step in and nerf him.
The Long Island Origins and the Syracuse Domination
Before he was a legend in Cleveland, Brown was a four-sport star at Manhasset High School on Long Island. He was basically a cheat code. He lettered in football, basketball, track, and lacrosse. By the time he got to Syracuse University, he didn't slow down. He earned ten varsity letters. Think about that for a second. In an era of specialization, he was the best athlete on campus in almost every season.
While most people focus on his 986 rushing yards in 1956, his 1957 lacrosse season was the stuff of myth. He was a First-Team All-American midfielder. He scored 43 goals in just 10 games. That’s an average of over four goals a game, which is wild considering he was often the primary target of every defensive slide and double-team.
In his final collegiate game—the North-South All-Star game—he didn't just participate. He showed out. He scored five goals in a single half against the best players in the country. It was a mic-drop moment before mic drops were a thing.
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Why They Had to Change the Rules
If you’ve ever watched modern lacrosse, you see players constantly cradling—that rhythmic rocking of the stick to keep the ball in the pocket. Part of that is skill, but part of it is because they have to. Back in the day, Jim Brown had a technique that was basically unguardable.
He was 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds of pure muscle. He would tuck the stick against his chest, wrap his massive hands around it, and simply run through people. Because he was so strong, defenders couldn't check the stick away. He didn't need to "cradle" in the traditional sense; he just protected the ball like a pigskin.
The officials were at a loss. Eventually, they created a rule—often informally called the "Jim Brown Rule"—that required a player to keep their stick in constant motion. They essentially forced him to stop using his body as a permanent shield because it made the game "unfair."
- The "Thumbing" Controversy: There's a long-standing debate about whether he "thumbed" the ball (held it in with his thumb). Some say he did; others say he was just so strong it didn't matter. Either way, his physical style was the catalyst for the "stringing" and "cradling" regulations we see in the NCAA today.
- The Midfield Engine: Unlike football where he waited for a handoff, in lacrosse, Brown was the engine. As a midfielder, he played both ways. He cleared the ball, defended, and then sprinted down to bury a shot in the top corner.
"I’d Rather Play Lacrosse Six Days a Week"
This is the quote that haunts football purists. Jim Brown once famously said, "I'd rather play lacrosse six days a week and football on the seventh."
That’s not just a throwaway line. It speaks to the "strategy and deception" he felt lacrosse offered. He loved the flow of it. In football, everything is a collision. In lacrosse, it’s a dance—albeit a very violent one when Brown was involved.
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He felt the game allowed for more individual creativity. You've got to remember, this was the 1950s. Syracuse was a powerhouse, but the sport was still niche. Brown saw it as the "purest" expression of his athleticism.
The First Black All-American in a "White" Sport
We can't talk about Jim Brown playing lacrosse without talking about the social landscape. In 1957, lacrosse was almost exclusively a sport for elite prep schools and northeastern colleges. It was not a diverse space.
Brown wasn't just the best player; he was a pioneer. When he was named an All-American in 1957, it was a massive statement. It took another 23 years before another Black player was voted an All-American in the sport. That gap tells you everything you need to know about how far ahead of his time he was.
He faced racism on the field, especially during road games in the south or against traditional powerhouses. He handled it by being better, faster, and stronger than everyone else. He didn't just play the game; he conquered a culture that wasn't necessarily ready for him.
Comparing the Stats: Lacrosse vs. Football
It’s hard to do a 1:1 comparison because the sports are so different, but look at the impact. In the NFL, he led the league in rushing in eight out of his nine seasons. In lacrosse, he was second in the nation in scoring during his senior year despite being the most "marked" man in the country.
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| Category | Football (Senior Year) | Lacrosse (Senior Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 8 | 10 |
| Primary Stat | 986 Rushing Yards | 43 Goals |
| Accolades | Unanimous All-American | First-Team All-American |
| Team Success | Cotton Bowl Appearance | Undefeated (10-0) |
The 1957 Syracuse lacrosse team went 10-0. That was the school's first perfect season since 1922. Brown was the undisputed heart of that team. While football paid the bills and made him a global icon, lacrosse was where he achieved perfection.
The Legacy of the Stick
Jim Brown is the only person to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame (inducted in 1983).
Later in life, he remained a huge advocate for the sport. When the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) launched, they named their MVP trophy the "Jim Brown Award." It was a way to tie the modern, professional era of the sport back to its most dominant forefather.
He also saw lacrosse as a way to connect with his roots. He often spoke about the Native American origins of the game—the "Creator's Game"—and the spiritual aspect of the sport. For him, it wasn't just about winning; it was about the history of the land and the people who played it before it was "refined" by collegiate systems.
What You Can Learn from Jim Brown's Multi-Sport Success
If you're an athlete or a coach today, the Jim Brown story isn't just a history lesson. It’s a blueprint.
- Don't specialize too early. Brown’s footwork in the backfield was undoubtedly improved by his time as a lacrosse midfielder and a basketball player. The lateral agility required in lacrosse made him a nightmare to tackle on the gridiron.
- Physicality is a mindset. He didn't just have the body; he had the will. He used the stick as an extension of his arm, not just a tool.
- Adaptability. When they changed the rules to stop him, he didn't complain. He just found new ways to dominate.
If you want to dive deeper into the history of the "Creator's Game," your next step should be looking into the Iroquois Nationals (now Haudenosaunee Confederacy) and their influence on the sport. Understanding the indigenous roots of the game provides the context for why Jim Brown respected the sport so much. You might also check out archival footage of the 1957 Syracuse vs. Army game if you can find it—it’s the closest thing we have to seeing a superhero in a helmet and shorts.