Nick Chubb is entering this season with a little extra purpose.

The Browns star said he’s “playing for” former NFL great Jim Brown, who passed away in May at the age of 87. 

“Being able to know him was definitely special,” Chubb said Wednesday. “Definitely a blessing. Being drafted here and playing after such a great running back was a blessing.”

Brown made his mark as a Cleveland great from 1957-1965, during which he was named MVP three times and secured the 1964 NFL Championship.

A powerful running back, Brown averaged over 100 yards per game during his standout career, which he later traded in for a life of activism and Hollywood acting.

While Brown’s No. 32 is retired in Cleveland and his statue stands sturdy in front of FirstEnergy Stadium, Chubb, arguably Cleveland’s best running back since Brown, is looking to honor his legacy on the field too. 

If it weren’t for Brown, Chubb may not have ended up in Cleveland.

After Brown’s passing, Cleveland general manager John Dorsey revealed that Brown, then a special advisor to the franchise, was a major proponent for selecting Chubb in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

“Just hearing that, it was a blessing,” Chubb said. “He saw something in me and it’s special.”

Fast forward, and the running backs both have the eight-best rushing seasons in team history. 

Chubb no doubt took notes on Brown’s play, but what the late running back stood for as a person also resonated with Chubb. 

“The most impactful thing [he told me] is probably just stand for what you believe in,” Chubb said. “He was a strong man. He stood up a lot of things and he was himself. I think that’s the biggest thing I take from it. Just always be true to yourself.”

Entering his fifth season in the league, Chubb and Cleveland are coming off of a 7-10 record in 2022.

The Browns have aspirations for a postseason appearance for the first time since 2020 — and they’ll have the memory of an all-time great behind them.