Cleveland Browns welcome Jim Brown as special adviser

Cleveland Browns Hall of Famer Jim Brown, left, was welcomed back to the team as as special adviser by team owner Jimmy Haslam on May 29, 2013.

(John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

BEREA, Ohio – Jim Brown earned many honors in a distinguished pro football career, but only one championship ring.

He said it's being auctioned online without his permission – and until Monday – without his knowledge. Brown told cleveland.com that his 1964 Browns championship ring was stolen from him decades ago and that he's never spoken to the auction house about its authenticity.

As of late Monday afternoon, the highest bid was $33,275. The auction ends July 25. According to a description on Lelands.com, which features a picture of the bauble:

The ring was obtained directly from a Brown immediate family member and sold by Lelands.com in 1998. During that original auction preview, Jim Brown himself inspected the ring and acknowledged its authenticity.

"That's a lie," Brown told cleveland.com. "I never spoke to anyone from there about the authenticity of the ring and I never would have given that ring to a family member."

Brown believes a police report was filed in the days after the theft.

"The whole claim is false," he said "There's no way I would have sold that ring. I'm going to have to contact an attorney to see what I can do about it."

Brown said he became aware of the auction on Monday after contacted by several reporters seeking comment. A phone call and email to the online auction house was not immediately returned.

Brown works for the Browns as a special adviser. He rushed for 1,446 yards and seven TDs in helping lead the team and Cleveland to their last major sports title in 1964. The Hall of Famer ran for 12,312 yards during his nine seasons.