Cleveland Browns All-Time Greats
The ten greatest to ever wear the brown and orange, ranked from one of football's founding powers.
Founded by and named for coach Paul Brown, the Browns dominated the moment they arrived, winning four straight AAFC titles and four NFL crowns while reaching the championship game in each of their first ten seasons. These are the ten greatest ever to wear the brown and orange, ranked.
- Conference
- AFC North
- Founded
- 1944 (first season 1946, AAFC); joined the NFL in 1950
- Home fields
- Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Huntington Bank Field (1999)
- Titles
- 4 AAFC Championships (1946-1949) and 4 NFL Championships (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964)
- Faithful
- The Dawg Pound
Widely considered the greatest running back in NFL history, Brown led the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons. He won three MVP awards and the 1964 NFL championship, and his 104.3 rushing yards per game remain the highest career average ever despite retiring at the peak of his powers.
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The ultimate winner, Graham led the Browns to ten straight championship game appearances, winning seven titles across the AAFC and NFL. A multiple-time MVP and All-Pro, he posted the best winning percentage of any quarterback in pro football history and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
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'The Toe' spent 21 seasons in Cleveland as both a standout offensive tackle and a pioneering placekicker. A nine-time Pro Bowler who helped the Browns win eight championships, Groza was one of the most versatile and durable players ever and earned his place in Canton.
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A model of consistency, Thomas made the Pro Bowl in each of his first ten seasons and started a record streak of more than 10,000 consecutive snaps. The six-time first-team All-Pro anchored the left side through lean years and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
'The Wizard of Oz' redefined the tight end position, becoming the first at the spot to top 600 career receptions. A three-time Pro Bowler with sure hands and crisp routes, he spent his entire career in Cleveland and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Stepping in after Jim Brown retired, Kelly led the NFL in rushing twice and made six straight Pro Bowls. The Hall of Fame back helped carry Cleveland to the 1968 and 1969 NFL Championship Games and was one of the most productive runners of his era.
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An elegant deep threat with rare body control, Warfield was a Pro Bowl receiver during both of his Cleveland tenures. A member of the 1964 championship team, his blend of speed and precision route-running made him a Hall of Famer and one of the game's most feared wideouts.
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A devastating pulling guard, Hickerson cleared the way for three Hall of Fame backs in Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, and Bobby Mitchell. A six-time Pro Bowler and multiple-time All-Pro, he spent his entire career in Cleveland and was later enshrined in Canton.
Shop Browns legends →One of the most durable linebackers in NFL history, Matthews spent 16 seasons in Cleveland and made four Pro Bowls. A versatile, sure-tackling defender, he anchored the Browns' linebacker corps through the playoff-contending 'Kardiac Kids' and late-1980s teams.
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A shutdown cornerback who made four straight Pro Bowls in the late 1980s, Minnifield formed one of the league's best tandems with Hanford Dixon. His tight coverage was a defining feature of the Browns teams that repeatedly reached the AFC Championship Game.
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The hometown-adjacent hero who engineered the great late-1980s AFC Central runs, Kosar led Cleveland to three conference title games. His unorthodox delivery and command of the huddle made him a Dawg Pound legend.
One of the most durable defenders in NFL history, Matthews spent sixteen seasons patrolling the Cleveland front seven. A four-time Pro Bowler, he remains the franchise's steady defensive constant across two decades.
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Nicknamed Gluefingers for his sure hands, Lavelli was a favorite target on the great Otto Graham teams and a key figure in four AAFC and multiple NFL titles. His clutch receptions helped define the franchise's founding dynasty.
Shop Browns legends →Cards shown are for illustration - a genuine licensed card of each legend. The specific card of any player varies by what's in stock.
Shop Browns fan cave plaques
Genuine licensed cards mounted on a solid-wood plaque, built and ready to hang in your fan cave.
Each plaque is built from genuine licensed cards; the exact card of each player may vary slightly from those pictured. Handmade in the USA · ships nationwide.