Played six seasons (1947-51 and 1954) for Cleveland Browns. Was considered one of the club’s finest linebackers. Was All-City and All-Ohio fullback at Cleveland Collinwood High School in 1941, then enrolled at Ohio State University, where he played fullback for one season before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps. Played one preseason (1946) for Ohio State before turning professional. Continued studies in off-season, eventually earned his MD and became prominent surgeon.
Star running back for Buffalo Bisons (1946) and Buffalo Bills of the All-American Football Conference, leading the Bills in rushing three straight years (1947 through 1949). Finished his career with the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League in 1950, leading the club in rushing and pass receiving. Was an All-Ohio collegiate star at Xavier University, after a memorable career at Cleveland Cathedral Latin High School, where he was an all-scholastic quarterback.
Starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in the first game in the team’s history, played September 6, 1946, against the Miami Seahawks. Later switched to defensive backfield with advent of the two-platoon system and became an outstanding safety. Was a great three-sport star at Lakewood High School, earning all-scholastic honors in football and baseball and starring on the basketball team and went to the finals of 1941 state tournament. Went on to play college football at Duke University.
Member of the first Cleveland Browns football team. Played in ten professional football championship contests was named all-pro end eight times. Played on Ohio State University’s 1942 national championship team before going into the U.S. Army. Decided to forego balance of college career in favor of pro football, basketball and baseball at Hudson (Ohio) High School. Inducted into Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
Regarded as the finest offensive tackle in professional football during much of a ten-year career (1946-73) with Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders. All-pro selection seven times. First round draft pick of Philadelphia after winning unanimous All-American selection as a guard at the University of Nebraska in 1963 and being named college football’s “Lineman of the Year” by the Washington, D.C. Touchdown Club. Began his football career at Cleveland East Tech High.
Deceased 6/16/2023
Established himself as the greatest place kicker in football during a 21-year career (1946-67) with the Cleveland Browns. Became the first player in NFL history to score 1,00 points and retired with NFL records for most career points scored, most field goals and most extra points. Also was a starting offensive tackle for 11 seasons. His most famous field goal gave Browns a last-minute 30-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL championship in their first season (1950) in the league. Inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
Quarterbacked the New York Giants from 1929-1931, leading the teams to second place finishes in first two seasons. Giants owner Tim Mara purchased the entire Detroit Wolverines team in order to secure Friedman’s services. Was All-American quarterback at University of Michigan and part of the famed “Benny to Bennie (Oosterbaan)” passing combination there. Considered the greatest football player ever to play for Cleveland Glenville High School.
Helped develop an age-group track program that was adopted nationwide by the AAU and served as Greater Cleveland Area Chairman for this AAU sport from 1959 to 1970 and nationally until 1965. Served on the CYO Girls Sports Advisory Committee from 1968 through 1979 and on the Cleveland Board of Women Officials from 1962. She was chairman of the later organization in 1969 and 1970. Honored for her volunteer work in 1978 when she was presented the CYO’s Father James O’Brien Award.
A long-time volunteer in the solicitation of business support and financial guarantees needed to hold major tennis events in Cleveland, he helped make possible the staging of seven Davis Cup matches, five Wightman Cup matches and 17 other major national and international tennis events in the city since 1964.
Boating editor for The Cleveland Plain Dealer since 1943, editorial writer for Mid-American Boating News since 1970, he helped organize the Marine Trades Association and the Mid-America Boat Show. Was also a founder of the Great Lakes Historical Society in 1944 and helped establish I-LYA’s Junior Race Week in 1956.