Otto Graham

Born:

Otto Everett Graham, Jr. - December 6, 1921, in Waukegan, Illinois

Died: December 17, 2003

Drafted: As a tailback out of Northwestern, Otto Graham was drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) in 1944 by the Detroit Lions. In 1946, he became one of the first players signed by Paul Brown, who was organizing the Cleveland Browns team to play in the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

Years Played:

1946-1955

Position Played: Quarterback

Played For: Cleveland Browns

Alma Mater: Northwestern

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: September 12, 1965

Other Members of Class of 1965: Guy Chamberlin, Paddy Driscoll, Dan Fortmann, Sid Luckman, Steve Van Buren, Bob Waterfield

Nickname:

Automatic Otto

Uniform Number: 14 and 60

Did You Know:

Otto Graham was the first NFL player to wear a facemask.

Greatest Moment:

In the 1954 NFL title game, Otto Graham scored three touchdowns and threw for three more in a 56-10 pasting of the Detroit Lions.

High School:

Waukegan (IL)

College Highlights:

• Earned eight letters in three sports (baseball, basketball, & football)
• First-team All-American honors in basketball (1944)
• Third in Heisman Trophy voting in football (1943)

NFL Career Totals:

• Played in 126 games for the Cleveland Browns
• Threw 2,626 passes, completing 1,464 for 23,584 yards and 174 touchdowns
• Ran the ball 405 times for 882 yards and 44 touchdowns
• Finished with a 105-17-4 regular-season record

NFL Highlights:

• Led the Browns to 10 division or league titles in 10 years
• Led AAFC in passing four times
• Led NFL in passing two times
• Named All-AAFC four times 1946 (UPI, OA), 1947 (NY, OA), 1948 (UPI, OA), 1949 (UPI, NY, OA)
• Named All-NFL five times 1951 (AP, UPI, NY), 1952 (UPI, NY), 1953 (AP, UPI, NY) , 1954 (AP, UPI, SN, NY) , 1955 (AP, UPI, SN, NY)
• Named NFL All-Pro four times 1947 (AP), 1948 (AP), 1949 (AP, IN)
• Played in five Pro Bowls 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955
• Named NFL MVP twice
• Won four straight AAFC titles
• Named to the all-NFL 75th anniversary team.
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965