Otto Graham

So, this may seem totally random to most people and way out of the blue to everyone else, but I a historical person I'd like to meet is Otto Graham. Maybe nobody out there really knows about this guy.

And if that is the case I thought I'd take a moment to tell you.

Otto Graham played quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the AAFC and later of the NFL. Originally drafted by the Detroit Lions, Graham first had to serve in the US Navy. Not wanting to wait to sign Graham, the Lions passed while Browns' head coach, Paul Brown, quickly scooped him up to play for the fledgling team in 1946.



Thus began Graham's ten year professional football career. In each year of the AAFC's existence Graham and the Cleveland Browns won the AAFC Championship. Criticized for playing in a sub-par league, the Browns joined the NFL in 1950 and won the NFL Championship.

So for those of you keeping track at home, that's 5 years for Graham, 5 Championships for the Browns.

The next three seasons were dark years for Graham. The Browns reached the title game all three but failed to win a single NFL Championship. But in 1954, Graham was back on top again winning the championship over the Detroit Lions.

Graham was expected to retire after that season, but having not found an adequate replacement for his star QB, Paul Brown pleaded with Graham to return for one more season.

Graham did and Graham won one more NFL Championship.

Now for those keeping score..that is 10 professional seasons. 10 Championship games, 7 championships. Never once did Otto Graham walk of the field having not played in the final game of the season. He finished his career with a 105-17-4 record and an 86.6 passer rating.

Oh and one more thing...before jumping into professional football, Otto Graham played one year of professional basketball for the Rochester Royals.

And the Royals won the NBL Championship. The dude was awesome...too bad he died in 2003. I wish I could've met him.