Browns numbers game is a lot of fun
By STEVE KING
A sports drink company has a sales campaign in which numbers – perhaps your favorite number – are placed onto the product labels in big black type.
Impressive. I like it.
The NFL is focusing on numbers, too.
According to reports, the league is expected to approve a proposal that would alter its jersey number rules beginning in the 2021 season.
It would allow running backs, tight ends and wide receivers to wear any numbers from 1 to 49 as well as 80 to 89, and defensive backs and linebackers to wear any numbers from 1 to 49.
Here are the number ranges:
*Quarterback, punter and kicker: 1-19.
*Running back: 1-49, 80-89.
*Linebacker: 1-59, 90-99.
*Offensive linemen: 50-79.
Defensive linemen: 50-79, 90-99.
Yes, indeed, numbers are cool – still – especially for tradition-rich teams such as the Browns.
The NFL last made radical changes to its jersey numbering system in 1952, and it has remained pretty much unchanged since then. At that time, these iconic Browns underwent the following switches:
*Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham: from 60 (which was later worn by Cleveland Browns Legends guard John Wooten) to 14 (one of five numbers retired by the Browns, in this case in honor of Graham).
*HOF middle guard Bill Willis: from 30 (which was later worn by Browns Legends cornerback Bernie Parrish) to Graham’s former number of 60. Willis also at one time wore 45 (which is retired in memory of running back Ernie Davis).
*HOF fullback Marion Motley: from 76 to 36.
*HOF left tackle/kicker Lou Groza: from 46 (which is retired in memory of Don Fleming) to Motley’s former number of 76 (which is retired in honor of Groza).
*HOF center Frank Gatski: from 22 (which was later worn by Browns Legends cornerback Clarence Scott) to 52 (which was later worn by Browns Legends linebacker Dick Ambrose).
*HOF defensive end Len Ford: from 53 to 80 (which was later worn by Browns Legends defensive end Bill Glass).
*HOF wide receiver Mac Speedie: from 58 to 88.
*HOF wide receiver Dante Lavelli: from 56 to 86 (which had been worn by Browns Legends wide receiver/running back Dub Jones and was later worn by Browns Legends wide receiver Gary Collins).
*Jones: from 86 to 40 (which was later won by Browns Legends cornerback Erich Barnes).
*Browns Legend guard Abe Gibron: from 34 (which was later worn by Browns Legends running backs Greg Pruitt and Kevin Mack) to 64 (which was later worn by HOF guard Joe DeLamielleure and Browns Legends guard Jim Ray Smith).
*Browns Legend punter Horace Gillom: from 59 to 84 (which was later worn by Browns Legends defensive end Paul Wiggin and Browns Legends wide receiver Webster Slaughter).
*Browns Legend cornerback Tommy James: from 82 (which was later worn by HOF tight end Ozzie Newsome and Browns Legends linebacker Jim Houston) to 42 (which was later worn by HOF wide receiver Paul Warfield).
*Browns Legends cornerback Warren Lahr: from 80 to 24.
