Jim Brown to be honored by Muhammad Ali for humanitarian achievement

Former Cleveland Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown speaks during... — Former Cleveland Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown speaks during an NFL news conference at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. (March 18, 2013) Credit: AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAugust 28, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Muhammad Ali is honoring another iconic athlete who became a key figure in the civil-rights movement -- Jim Brown.

The NFL Hall of Fame running back will receive a lifetime humanitarian achievement award bearing the boxing great's name.

Brown, a former Manhasset football standout, headlines a lineup of Ali Humanitarian Award winners announced Thursday that includes actress Susan Sarandon. The Academy Award winner will receive the award for global citizenship for charitable work that includes serving as an ambassador for UNICEF.

The awards ceremony is set for Sept. 27 in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali's hometown. Ali is expected to attend.

Like Ali, Brown has been an outspoken civil-rights advocate who was at the top of his sport in the 1960s.

Last year, former President Jimmy Carter was the inaugural winner of the lifetime humanitarian achievement award.