TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — Browns Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown says his 1964 NFL championship ring being auctioned online was stolen from him.

Brown’s ring is up for bidding on www.lelands.com until July 25. As of Monday, the highest bid was for $33,275. Brown tells cleveland.com that a claim by the auction company that he authenticated the ring is “a lie.” Brown says he was unaware the ring was being auctioned off.

Brown, who works as a Browns special adviser, says the ring was stolen from him more than 40 years ago.

A phone message from the AP seeking comment from Lelands was not immediately returned.

One of the greatest players in NFL history, Brown rushed for 12,312 yards in nine seasons. In ’64, he rushed for 1,446 yards and scored seven touchdowns as the Browns won the title — the last for any major Cleveland sports franchise.

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