CLEVELAND — Former Browns wide receiver Reggie Rucker won a $2.2 million jury award in a lawsuit against a brokerage firm where he used to work.

        The jury found Thursday that Everen Securities Inc. reneged on financial promises, but ruled that it had not racially discriminated against Rucker, who is black.

        Everen, which later was purchased by First Union Securities Inc., employed Rucker as a broker from 1995-99.

        The jury found it had not kept a promise to help him set up a minority investment company.

        His eyes misty, Rucker, 54, hugged his lawyer, Ellen Simon, after Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Russo read the verdicts.

        “I'm so very happy,” he said. “I think that the jury wanted to send a message because they believed what we said. They understood the case. They knew that I had been harmed financially and I think that they did the right thing.”

        First Union is deciding whether to appeal, a spokesman said.

        “We are very pleased that the jury agreed with our position that there were no discriminatory practices,” said spokesman Tony Mattera.

        Simon told jurors that the firm treated Rucker like a second-class citizen who received a less lucrative compensation package and fewer amenities than other brokers.

        Attorney Thomas Barnard, who represented the securities firm, argued that the firm only promised support services, such as marketing and legal advice, and not financial backing for Rucker's separate minority business enterprise.

        Rucker caught 32 touchdown passes for the Browns from 1975-81, and his 4,953 receiving yards rank fifth in team history. In 1999, he became an alumni liaison for the Browns.

        Simon told jurors that Rucker was a great football player but never a rich man. By the end of his career, he was making $165,000 yearly. His National Football League pension is $12,000 annually.

        A beer distributorship he co-owned failed shortly after his football career ended, and he got divorced.

        He declared personal bankruptcy in 1992.

DAUGHERTY: Bengals draft LeBeau says Harrington worth look Q&A with Dick LeBeau Area draft hopefuls can only wait and watch Who wants to be a millionaire? Not him Former Browns player wins lawsuit against brokerage firm Randle El ready to make move Teams looking to move up and down in first round NFL notes: James on schedule for return to Colts

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