Trent Richardson breaks Jim Brown’s Cleveland Browns’ franchise rushing record for a rookie

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. (Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports)

Very little has been ‘ordinary’ about Trent Richardson’s record-breaking first season with the once-proud Cleveland Browns.

Ever since the team drafted the former Alabama star at No. 3-overall in last season’s NFL Draft, all he has done is rewrite the franchise record books. That means breaking records set by one of the game’s all-time greatest running backs in Jim Brown.

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In spite of the fact that Brown himself went out of his way to call Richardson ‘ordinary’ after Cleveland drafted him.

Having accumulated four touchdowns in the team’s previous two games, Richardson had passed both Brown and Eric Metcalf for the most scores in franchise history for a rookie, with 11.

In Week 15, against Denver, Richardson failed to get into the end zone. However, with his 52 yards rushing on nine carries, Richardson finished out the afternoon with 950 yards on the season.

Eight more than the 942 Brown accumulated back in 1957.

Yes, Brown played in a 14-game season, but Brown also ran behind a far more talented offensive line. With all due apologies to star tackle Joe Thomas, no one is going to say that the 5-10 Browns are by any means elite in 2012.

Despite suffering through broken ribs, to headline several injuries sustained in his rookie campaign, Richardson was one of the bright spots on yet another abysmal Cleveland Browns team. The legendary Jim Brown understands that the 5-foot-9, 230-pound beast is the future of the team, according to AL.com:

“That’s my partner, man,” Brown said. “He never took anything I said the wrong way. He’s interested in his family. He’s interested in his team. And he’s willing to make sacrifices because really, he’s hurt more than you think he is right now.”

Whatever sacrifices Richardson had to make in terms of his pain threshold, we may never know.

However, Cleveland fans, until the end of time, will know exactly the type of season Richardson put together in 2012.

It was the best a rookie has ever had in the history of the franchise.

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What do you think Gamedayrs?