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Jim Brown changes tune on Browns' Trent Richardson

The greatest Cleveland Brown of them all is back in the fold.

For the first time in two years, Jim Brown will take part in events this weekend leading up to a halftime ceremony where former Browns players Ernie Green and Clarence Scott will be inducted into the team's legends club.

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It sure sounds like Brown is in fence-mending mode. He plans to meet with new Browns owner Jimmy Haslem III about a possible role with the organization. Brown was an adviser to owner Randy Lerner, but he did not like how team president Mike Holmgren changed his role two years ago. Brown since has made a lot of negative comments about Holmgren, but both men expressed a desire this week to move past it.

Brown told The Associated Press on Friday that his feelings toward Holmgren are "very, very positive." He also had nice things to say about rookie running back Trent Richardson, whom Brown repeatedly demeaned over the offseason.

The legend said he only called Richardson "ordinary" over the summer in order to motivate him. Brown already has seen flashes of greatness from Richardson, who's coming off a huge game against the Cincinnati Bengals in a 34-27 Week 2 loss.

Frankly, it's a relief to write a post like this. Brown is one of the fiercest, smartest, most original sports heroes of last 50 years. We hated to see him reduced to an image of a cranky old guy to so many younger fans who don't know what he meant to the game.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.