RUNNING HOME: WHAT MAKES JIM BROWN'S HOMETOWN SPECIAL

September 30, 2019

Home is what Manhasset did for Jim Brown, and what Jim Brown did for me. 

About 20 miles east of Manhattan sits the small town of Manhasset. With a population of around 8,000 people, Manhasset is a tight-knit community where neighbors care about one another, and about sports. Most students play at least one sport, and many, like myself, play lacrosse.

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The greatest athlete to graduate from Manhasset is Jim Brown. The renowned running back earned 13 varsity letters in high school while playing football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball and running track. Brown averaged a then-Long Island record of 38 points per game for Manhasset basketball, he was high on Syracuse football's radar and the Yankees talked of signing him. All eyes were on the star athlete from Manhasset.

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It was here where his legendary career started.

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It was also at this point in time, however, that racism and segregation entered the mainstream of American life. Violence and intimidation were used to prevent Blacks from asserting their rights and masses in the South did what they could to resist the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which declared separate but equal was in fact unequal. 

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For Brown, it’s not that racism didn’t bother him, it’s that no community member made it a problem for him.

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“Manhasset was a whiter-than-white community, and rich — and I mean rich — yet not a bone of prejudice did I ever feel," Brown told the Long Island Pulse. "Not only that but people in the community conscientiously helped children develop their lives."

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To my surprise, this was the quote I found after I typed ‘Jim Brown Manhasset Racism’ into Google's search bar. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with what I found. It just wasn't what I was expecting.

One afternoon during my freshman year of high school in 2013, I — along with the rest of the high school — welcomed the opportunity to be ripped from math class and ushered into the school gymnasium. At the center of the wood court sat a small stage awaiting a special guest. It was awaiting Jim Brown, for his homecoming.

Hometown Hall of Famers, conducted through the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was honoring Brown and the legacy he left at Manhasset High School. MHS was unveiling a plaque of the retired Cleveland Browns running back’s jersey, number 32, and Brown’s high school football number, which was 33.

At the ceremony, whispers and murmurs started flying through the stands among students. Stories and rumors about how Brown didn’t want to come home because of the racial climate that plagued his high school days encircled the crowd.

Then, our hometown hero started his speech.

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“I see all of you, pretty smiling faces, what a wonderful opportunity you have, to live in this kind of community that goes out to hire the best teachers,” Brown said, probably talking about his former football coach Ed Walsh. The two formed an irreplaceable bond while Brown played for him. Walsh would take his mentee home for dinner and drive him to Harlem to buy a suit. Brown has even praised Walsh in the past as his surrogate father, since his biological father was not in the picture.

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“You always hear about what somebody didn’t do for somebody," Brown continued. "I’m here right now because of what Manhasset did for me."

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Brown also lived with neighbor and teammate Bill Butler for a period of high school. They were basically brothers.

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Hearing and reading about Brown’s experience was a relief. Knowing the Manhasset my classmates described during the assembly was not the Manhasset that Brown said he experienced.

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I love Manhasset, but I know it is not perfect. Neither is Brown. Nor am I. The fight for equality is ongoing, especially in a predominantly white town that has failed to follow in the footsteps of the Washington Football Club and change the Manhasset Indians mascot.

I recognize Manhasset's flaws, but I admire my home turf because it breeds more than great athletes, but caring people.

As a three-sport athlete in high school, my Manhasset experience was one of great friends at a competitive practice followed by a team dinner. It was a place where my best friends started out as my teammates and ended up as my family. I'd even argue Manhasset pushed sports on me, but I'm grateful it did. Sports brought beautiful people and an unparalleled passion into my life that I don't think I would have found elsewhere.

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Today, the standout, skillful leader of Manhasset men’s lacrosse team wears number 32, in honor of our hometown hero Jim Brown.

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Dec. 12, 2020: This column has been updated to reflect the current situation surrounding the Manhasset mascot.

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