Jim Brown: Give LeBron a statue in Cleveland

Take it from the key member of the last major sports franchise to win a title in Cleveland: LeBron James is a legend who deserves a statue there.

That's from Jim Brown.

One of the greatest sports icons and football players who ever lived.

"(Cavaliers owner Dan) Gilbert is going to give him a statue," Brown joked to the Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich in the wake of Cleveland's first pro sports championship since Brown's Browns in 1964.

"He'd better give him a statue. That young man put out so much blood, sweat and tears, it's unbelievable ... he could've had a heart attack he was playing so hard. So they'd better give him a statue. That’s the least they could do."

The Browns are set to unveil a statue of the legendary running back at FirstEnergy Stadium this season.

Brown, 80, told the Beacon Journal he also plans on attending the Cavs' victory parade on Wednesday.

Despite walking away from the NFL at just 29 in 1965, Brown's reputation as one of the game's greatest players is still intact. And while he went on to gain further fame as an actor and social activist, Brown still holds Cleveland close to his heart.

"I just got through watching documentaries on what didn't happen - The Fumble, The Drive, the this, the that," said Brown. "So what about this - coming back from 3-1 for the first time in history? The historic event that just occurred gives us a totally fresh start."