, widely acclaimed as one of the greatest players in NFL history, surprised many when, at the height of his gridiron glory in 1966, he left football to pursue an acting career. He had made his film debut in the 1964 western , playing a Buffalo Soldier sergeant opposite Richard Boone, Stuart Whitman, and Tony Franciosa. He announced his retirement (1967). Other films on his résumé include the westerns (1969), (1970), and (1975). Brown was 87 when he died May 18 in Los Angeles.
