Otto Graham
Cleveland Browns
Graham went to Northwestern University on a basketball scholarship. When
"Pappy" Waldorf saw him throwing a football in an intramural game, he
got him to come out for the team as a sophomore, and Graham immediately
became the starting tailback. He set a Big Ten record in 1942, his
junior season, by completing 89 of 182 passes for 1,092 yards. As a
senior, he was an All-American in both football and basketball.
After graduating, Graham spent two years in the Navy and then joined the
Cleveland Browns of the new All America Football Conference, where he
became a T formation quarterback for the first time. Using a "pass and
trap" offense in which Graham's passing ability was employed to set up
trap runs by other backs, Cleveland was the most successful team in pro
football for the next decade.
The Browns won all four AAFC championships, winning 52 games while
losing only 4 and tying 3. Graham led in touchdown passes with 17 in
1946 and 25 in 1947; in passing percentage in 1947 with 60.6; and in
yardage with 2,753 in 1947, 2,713 in 1948, and 2,785 in 1949.
When the AAFC folded in 1950, the Browns entered the NFL. Most experts
felt they would be overmatched against the stronger competition, but
Cleveland won the NFL championship by beating the Los Angeles Rams
30-28, with Graham throwing four touchdown passes. Four years later, he
passed for three touchdowns and ran for three in a 56-10 championship
victory over the Detroit Lions.
Graham announced his retirement after that season, but he returned in
1955 after Cleveland got off to a slow start and led the Browns to yet
another championship, passing for two touchdowns and running for two
more to beat Los Angeles 38-14 in the title game.
All-league quarterback in all four AAFC seasons, Graham was also an NFL
All-Pro in 1951, 1953, 1954, and 1955, and he was named the league's
player of the year in 1953 and 1955. He led the NFL in completion
percentage from 1953 through 1955; in yardage in 1952 and 1953; and in
touchdown passes in 1952.
During his 10 professional seasons, Graham completed 1,464 of 2,626
attempts for 23,584 yards and 174 touchdowns. He rushed 405 times for
882 yards, a 2.2 average, and 44 touchdowns.
(Hickock
Sports)
