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Fansided

10 greatest Cleveland Browns of all time

By Russell S. Baxter

American professional football player Jim Brown #32 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball towards the defensive line of the New York Giants, Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, September 16, 1962. The Browns won 17 to 7. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images)
American professional football player Jim Brown #32 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball towards the defensive line of the New York Giants, Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, September 16, 1962. The Browns won 17 to 7. (Photo by Robert Riger/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham on a run in a 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a League Championship game on December 23, 1951 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham on a run in a 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a League Championship game on December 23, 1951 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

2. QB Otto Graham

He would guide the Cleveland Browns to 10 consecutive pro football championship games. The first four occurred in the All-America Football Conference and the last six in the National Football League. Pro Football Hall of Fame signal-caller Otto Graham Paul Brown’s squad to all four AAFC championships and then once in the NFL, the Browns won titles in 1950 (the team’s first season in the NFL) and in consecutive seasons from 1954-55.

Quarterback Otto Graham famously wore No. 60 and No. 14 for the team. He is also one of the most successful field generals in football history in terms of championships. A total of 10 seasons in professional ball saw him throw for 23,584 yards, 174 scores and 135 interceptions.

Graham also ran for 882 yards and 44 touchdowns in 10 seasons. But it’s worth noting that while the Pro Football Hall of Fame acknowledges all his career numbers, the NFL (and understandably so) only recognizes the Browns’ time in their league.

Regardless of how you break it down, Otto Graham (a combined seven-time All-Pro in the AAFC and NFL) was one of the great quarterbacks and leaders in the game’s history and he earned his rightful place in Canton, Ohio in 1965.

CLEVELAND – NOVEMBER 15: Runningback Jim Brown
CLEVELAND – NOVEMBER 15: Runningback Jim Brown /

1. RB Jim Brown

There were a total of nine seasons with the franchise that made him the sixth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns opted for Syracuse University running back Jim Brown. A total of nine seasons with the franchise and 118 regular-season games for head coaches Paul Brown and Blanton Collier saw the relentless performer reach the end zone a combined 16 times.

Once the leading rusher in the National Football League with 12,312 yards, he now ranks 11tt in league history in that fabled category. But keep in mind that Brown did that in only nine seasons and the aforementioned 118 outings, meaning he managed an imposing 104.3 yards per game on the ground during his spectacular career.

Brown was named to the Pro Bowl in every season he played and earned All-Pro honors eight times. He was also part of the team’s last NFL championship in 1964. His final NFL season came in 1965 as he opted for a very early retirement. But he went out with a bang (via ClevelandBrowns.com), leading the league in rushing for the eighth time in nine years.

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To this day, many believe Brown is the greatest running back in NFL history. A total of 10 more players have more career rushing yards. Perhaps none had the overall impact of this Hall of Famer.

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