Chubb dedicating season to late Jim Brown

Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb said Wednesday that he'll be "playing for" Jim Brown this season following the Hall of Fame running back's death May 19, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.

"Being able to know him was definitely special," Chubb said of Brown, who died at the age of 87. "Definitely a blessing. Being drafted here and playing after such a great running back was a blessing."

Brown, widely considered one of the sport's greatest running backs, played for the Browns from 1957-65, earning three MVP awards and leading the league in rushing in all but one season over his career.

Chubb said Wednesday that former Browns general manager John Dorsey told him after Brown died that the icon played a big role in Cleveland drafting him in the second round in 2018.

"Just hearing that, it was a blessing," Chubb said. "He saw something in me, and it's special."

Chubb has taken the NFL by storm, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and earning four Pro Bowl berths across five pro seasons. The Georgia product rushed for a career-high 1,525 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022 en route to a second-team All-Pro nod.

The 27-year-old's 6,341 career yards and 48 touchdowns on the ground rank fourth and third in franchise history, respectively. Brown is Cleveland's all-time leading rusher with 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns.