Named to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1968. In an eight-year career with Cleveland Browns, beginning in 1946, he established himself as one of the great runners in pro history. Led Browns in rushing in six of his eight seasons, led team in scoring in 1949 and tied for leas in 1947. Averaged 5.7 yards per carry for his career, gaining a total of 4,712 yards. Was also an excellent defensive player. Named to the All-American Conference All-Pro teams from 1946-49 and to the National Football League All-Star Team in 1950.
An All-American tackle at the University of Kentucky he established himself as one of the finest defensive tackles in Cleveland Browns history during an illustrious career which lasted from 1952 through 1966. During that time he was named to the All-Pro team five times (in 1958-59-60-62 and 1963), played in six National Football League championship games and on the Browns’ World championship teams of 1954, 1955 and 1966. He was also honored by the Cleveland Touchdown Club as the “Defensive Player of the Year.”
A product of Cleveland South High and Ohio University, he started his professional career with Cleveland Rams, but elected to leave them to become a member of the Cleveland Browns when the All-American Conference was formed in 1946. Played for AAC championship teams in each of his three seasons with the Browns. A defensive tackle, he bulwarked a powerful line, which allowed the fewest points in the league in each of his three AAC seasons.
Deceased.
Ranked among the best women tennis players ever produced in Cleveland. Member of 1961 Wightman Cup Team. Won U.S. Womens’s Hard Court Doubles Championship (with Sally Moore) in 1958. Was U.S. Junior Champion in 1954. Ranked among top 15 women in U.S. amateur tennis five times, reaching high of sixth in 1961.
Top name in Cleveland men’s tennis for nearly 15 years. Cleveland City Champion in singles and doubles from 1936 through 1950. Won No. One national ranking in senior USLTA doubles competitions in 1954.
A 26-time finalist in national diving championships, Was a member of the United States’ 1976 Women’s Olympic Diving Team, finishing eight in Montreal in the three-meter springboard. Gold medalist in 1973 Pan-African Games, and was named the Outstanding Women Diver in the 1969 U.S. National Championships while still a senior at Berea High School. Later competed for Indiana University and Clarion State College.
All-American swimmer at Yale in 1967, 1968 and 1969 and a high school All-American for Fairview High in 1963, 1964 and 1965. Set national AAU age group records for 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard individual medley at 16 years of age. Captained Yale team as senior and later served as that university’s head swimming coach.
Enjoyed successful 18-year amateur career, beginning in 1918. During this time she played for the following teams: Clark Muny (1918-21), Favorite Knits (1922-23), Rosenblums (1924), Newman Stern (1925-29), Allerton Hotel (1930-35) and Cleveland Aces (1936), all of which earned World Championship titles.
Amateur career stretched from 1924 through 1937. Played with Muny Championship Favorite Knits (1926-27) and Blepp Coombs (1927-30) and on City Class A Championship teams for four additional seasons. Named to National AAU All-Tournament second team while playing for Chicago Baby Ruth Girls in 1934-35. Returned to Cleveland and played for Fisher Foods’ City and Inter-City champs in 1935-36 and 1936-37 seasons, then turned professional to play three seasons with famed All-American Redheads.
Played amateur basketball in Greater Cleveland for 19 years. During her career she played for the following teams: Clark Muny (1918-21), Favorite Knits (1922-23), Rosenblums (1924), Newman-Stern (1925-29), Allerton Hotel (1930-35) and Cleveland Aces (1936-37), all of which earned World Championship titles.