Oct. 20, 1963 - It’s true what they say about Jim Brown and the revitalized Cleveland Browns. They’re murder. The Eagles found this out to their sorrow when they were flattened, 37-7, as the undefeated Cleveland eleven stampeded to its sixth straight triumph for a two-game lead in the NFL’s Eastern Division this afternoon. With a throng of 75,174 roaring approval, the great Jim Brown set a pro career record as he dashed for 144 yards on 25 carries for a lifetime total of 8,390 yards. This eclipsed the record of 8,296 set by Joe Perry of the San Francisco 49ers — in 14 seasons. Brown’s greatness was emphasized by the fact that he topped the mark midway in his seventh season. Brown scored only one touchdown — on a 10-yard scamper with a flare pass — but he was a relentless powerhouse who smashed out short yardage and claimed the attention of the Eagles’ defense to such a degree that quarterback Frank Ryan found it relatively easy to throw four touchdown passes. The strong defensive play of the Browns was the eye-opening part of their victory since they had to take the field without linebacker Galen Fiss and cornerback Jim Shofner, casualties along with reserve linebacker Mike Lucci of last Sunday’s win at New York. Bob Gain, Bill Glass, and Paul Wiggin kept tremendous pressure on the Eagle quarterbacks while Vince Costello and Bernie Parrish kept a blanket on Tommy McDonald and Pete Retzlaff, who were limited to one and two catches, respectively. “It doesn’t mean a thing — yet.” In so many words, Jim Brown shrugged off the career rushing record he had just set. “Nothing counts until the championship is won,” he explained. Gary Collins, the former Maryland end who caught three touchdown passes today, was complimented on his blocking on one of Jim’s runs. “I had to dive at those defenders. I had to get out of Jim’s way. He was coming right at me, and he looked like a freight train. I told him, ‘Don’t you run toward me like that. I want to live awhile,’” Collins laughed.
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