One of the greatest athletes ever produced at Cleveland Central High where he was a three-time football all-scholastic, was the city’s leading basketball scorer for three seasons and starred in track. Went on to Springfield College where he won nine letters in four sports and captained the 1922 football team. Later coached at Central High from 1923 to 1941 and at Cleveland Glenville High from 1941 to 1962.
Nicknamed “Dynie,” short for dynamite, he started his football career as captain of the West Tech Junior High team. He later played tackle for the West Tech High varsity from 1922 to 1924 and is considered one of the school’s all-time greats. Became outstanding lineman at Wisconsin University and, later, a coach there.
Starred for Cleveland East Tech High’s great post-World War I teams which lost only one game in three years, that in the National High School Championship Game by a 16-7 score. Went on to play at Iowa State University where he earned fame by running backward for three safeties to beat Drake. Later coached football at East Tech from 1928 to 1932.
Played one year (1950) with Cleveland Browns before moving to Detroit Lions where he was a star placekicker and linebacker from 1951 to 1961. Played for Baltimore in 1963 and Washington in 1964, then turned to coaching, first with Denver of the AFL (1965), then Idaho State University (1966) and the Lions (1967-72). Captained the unbeaten 1949 Notre Dame University team, was All-American at both end and tackle during four year career. Played high school ball at Cleveland East Tech
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.