Top 10 Greats Who Have Worn the Browns Uniform

Ozzie Newsome (TE, Alabama, 1978-'90) – The greatest pass catching tight end in the history of the NFL, Ozzie Newsome truly revolutionized the position of tight end and played it at a high level longer than anyone. Cleveland selected Newsome with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 1978 draft. Newsome went on to catch 662 passes for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns in his 13 NFL seasons, all with the Browns. When he retired after the 1990 campaign he was fourth on the league's all-time list for receptions and had caught more passes than any tight end.

Leroy Kelly (RB, Morgan State, 1964-'73) – On a franchise that prides itself on the success of its running game over the years, Leroy Kelly ranks right at the top at the position. All-time he is number two in all-time yards rushing for the Browns. That after spending his first two seasons as special team player while backing up Jim Brown at running back. While most players would have wilted under the pressure of being asked to replace a player of the caliber of a Jim Brown, Kelly flourished. During his 10 year career with the Browns, the team appeared in four NFL Championship games.

Dick Schafrath (T, Ohio State, 1959-'71) – When Hall of Famer Lou Groza retired, Dick Schafrath stepped in and provide the Browns with a seamless transition especially with their signature running plays, the power sweep, trap and draw. Routinely he would wipe out his man at the line of scrimmage and erase another would-be tackler far downfield. In Schafrath's 13 seasons, Jim Brown led the league in rushing six times and finished second once, and Leroy Kelly was a two-time league leader and second once. Backs Bobby Mitchell, Ernie Green and Bo Scott also benefited from Schafrath's excellence. Though the Browns were a run-oriented team, they had fine passing attacks directed by quarterbacks Milt Plum, Frank Ryan and Bill Nelsen who made a combined six Pro Bowls with Schafrath their key protector.

Dante "Gluefingers" Lavelli (WR, Ohio State, 1946-'56) – Lavelli joined with quarterback Otto Graham and fellow receivers, Dub Jones and  Mac Speedie to revolutionize the passing game and thus help advance the NFL toward its national, made-for-TV popularity that began to flourish in the late 1950s. Much of today's "West Coast Offense" has its roots with the Cleveland Browns of the 40's and 50's and Lavelli was a big part of that. When Lavelli retired he ranked second in pro football history in touchdown receptions and third in passes caught and receiving yards.

Marion Motley (RB, Nevada, 1946-'53) – Had it not been for Jim Brown, Marion Motley would easily be the greatest running back in the history of the Cleveland Browns. A rare combination of size and speed, Marion was often times larger than both the defensive linemen that were trying to stop him and the offensive line that were blocking for him. To see him on film is really the only way to truly know just how devastating he really was. In 1946, Motley joined Bill Willis in permanently breaking down racial barriers in professional football.

Gene Hickerson (G, Mississippi, 1958-60, 1962-'73) – The most versatile offensive lineman in the history of the Browns, Gene could run or pass block equally well. In his career with the Browns, he blocked for three Hall of Fame running backs and never experienced a losing season. He gained his fame as a pulling guard whose combination of speed and power was absolutely devastating to the opposition, most especially through his role as a pulling guard on the Browns feared power sweep.

Bill Willis (G, Ohio State, 1946-'53) – The greatest defensive player in the history of the Browns, Willis also played guard on offense in his first two seasons, often as a starter. A mainstay in the Browns' 5-3 and 5-2 defenses at middle guard, a position somewhat the equivalent of today's middle linebacker in a 4-3, Willis earned first-team all-league honors in seven of his seasons and second-team in the other campaign. The Browns allowed the fewest points in the league in six of his eight seasons and the second-fewest the other two.

Lou "The Toe" Groza (T/K, Ohio State, 1946-59, 1961-'67) – No one played for the Browns longer than Lou Groza. In his 21 seasons with the Browns, Groza is the only person who can claim to be a part of all eight of the Browns World Championships. A Hall of Fame left tackle who also handled all of the team's field goal and extra point duties, when Lou retired he was the NFL's all-time leading scorer.

Jim Brown (RB, Syracuse, 1957-'65) – Jim Brown played nine seasons with the Browns, making the Pro Bowl all nine years while being named first-team all-NFL eight years and second-team the other year. He was named the NFL MVP four times (1957, 1958, 1963 and 1965) including his final season in 1965.  Upon his retirement, at the age of 29, Brown held every NFL record for rushing in the history of the game.

Otto Graham (QB, Northwestern, 1946-'55) – Otto Graham played during the first 10 years in the history of the Cleveland Browns and the team reached the championship game in every one of them, winning seven. In a game where greatness is often defined by winning, there has never been and never will be a quarterback that can claim to be in the same league as Graham.