Jim Brown played running back for the Cleveland Browns from 1957-1965. He is considered still today one of the greatest running backs to ever play in the National Football League with a football mind that exceeded beyond many expectations of a running back.

Brown had a football mental toughness that allowed him to play in the NFL during a time where African Americans were still viewed in an unfortunate negative view by many. But due to his football mental game he was able to overcome these obstacles and become a record holder for many, many years.

Brown had a mental preparation for football that enabled him to become known not just as a great running back but also as one of the greatest American professional athletes of all time. His football psychology was such that he went into every game with a focus, drive and determination that allowed him to be as successful and as well documented still today as one of the greatest ever to play.

In 1962, Brown averaged more than 133 yards per game, good enough for No. 2 on the all-time list behind O.J. Simpson. His fans point out that Brown accomplished his 133 yards per game in an era when teams did not use the forward pass as often as they did eight years later when Simpson broke Brown’s record.

Brown led the NFL in his playing days in rushing for eight of his nine seasons of playing. Due to his football confidence he was a dominant player of his era and one of the small numbers of running backs to date rated as the best of all time. In seven seasons he rushed for more than a 1000 yards and established NFL single-season records by rushing for 1,527 yards in 1958 and 1,863 yards in 1963.

Brown’s famous quote was “Tell you what you got to do to compete. What you got to do to compete is compete.” This quote in itself exhibits Brown’s exceptional football mind.

As well of a psychology for football that Brown had he still made the decision to retire from football at age 30. But he did not let this deter him from continuing his success in a different field. His football mental toughness had prepared him for whatever mental adversity lay in front of him.

When he retired he went on to pursue a career in acting appearing in The Dirty Dozen and 100 Rifles. During his time these were famous movies that were very successful and earned lots of money for the producers, studios, directors as well as the actors.

Brown continued on in his good works with supporting many black-owned businesses and in working diligently to rehabilitate gang members.

Football Mental Toughness Tips from Brown:

After a tackle, get off the ground in the same manner each time. Brown always got off the ground in a slow and deliberate manner. Brown believed by always pushing himself up off the ground in this manner, the opponent could not tell if he was hurt or not.

Brown believed a player who gets up quickly on one play, then gets up slowly the next play has just signaled the other team that he has been hurt. The player has just shown a weakness to be pursued and exploited on the next play.

Brown never missed a game in his entire career.