CLEVELAND, Ohio - A Jim Brown game-worn home jersey sold for a record $75,000 by Robert Edward Auctions.

The jersey, which had a starting bid of $10,000, was up for auction for more than three weeks and attracted 53 bidders.

"This is a record price for a jersey in this grade," said Brian Dwyer, president of Robert Edward Auctions. "Even still it's one of the highest for a Jim Brown jersey ever at auction."

The jersey has a colorful back story.

The New Jersey-based auction house said the jersey was in the consignor's family since the 1960s. It had been obtained by the consignor's father, who had worked for the Cleveland Parks and Recreation Department. The father had worked at League Park and Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Says the auction house:

"According to family lore, sometime during the 1960s his father attempted to get a football signed by members of the Browns. Since he worked there and saw them on a regular basis, all the players were happy to oblige. However, for some reason, Jim Brown, with whom he had had a friendly relationship, refused to sign the ball. Brown's refusal led to a heated argument between the two and they didn't speak for a while after that. After some time had gone by and both had "cooled down," Brown apologized to him and signed the ball. It was then that Brown presented him with one of his jerseys as a goodwill gesture."

The company - which Dwyer said holds spring, summer and fall auctions - handles "a couple dozen jerseys a year," in addition to a multitude of sports memorabilia.

"It exceeded everybody's expectations - bidders, sellers, consignment, auction house," he said.

The jersey's manufacturing date is believed to be between 1961 and 1965 - Brown's final season.

Aside from the crotch strap having been removed, the jersey has no other alterations, the auction house said.