Jim Brown has yet to commit to attending the Browns Ring of Fame ceremony in September. Last week, Brown mentioned that while he has tried to move some things around, his schedule will not allow him to make th trip to Cleveland. Many think it has something to do with Mike Holmgren removing Brown from the team’s payroll when he was hired to run the Browns this off-season. Whatever it is, the relationship between the Browns and their greatest player is cool at best.
Speaking on a Syracuse radio station earlier today, Brown confirmed he felt disrespected by the Browns.
I’m a very sensitive person. I do like to be respected. I’m very loyal. I like it to be a two-way street. I’ve been very quiet about the situation in Cleveland. Sometimes when you comment on things, all you do is create problems. The last thing I want to do is create problems for anyone or disrupt the team or ownership or the plans of other people.
Brown went on to say that he has a ‘dignity and character’ that he needs to protect, that he has no need to comment on ‘where I go, why I go, why I don’t go’.
Earlier today, Mike Holmgren addressed the situation surrounding Brown’s appearance, saying he ‘trusts’ that Brown will attend the ceremony. he also said that while Brown’s responsibilities have changed, he still wants Brown to be a part of the Browns family.
Let’s face it. Jim Brown loves attention, he craves it. He uses it to gain publicity for issues he is championing. Jim Brown will be at the Ring of Fame ceremony because it is in Jim Brown’s best interest to be there – but only after touring various media outlets first.