Inspired by my posts the last two days about two really good people in Browns history, a friend encouraged me to make a list of my 10 most favorite people from my many years of covering the club.
That sounds like a great idea. He said to save the story for a rainy day. Well, it’s been raining a lot recently, so here goes, in no particular order (I am not including former longtime Brown public relations aide Dino Lucarelli, because I already talked about him in those posts; he would otherwise certainly be on this list):
1) Former Browns head coach Chris Palmer — He was oh, so kind and as solid, and wise, as anyone I’ve ever met.
2) — Ex-left tackle and radio color analyst Doug Dieken — For 55 years, he has been the face of the Browns, and a guy with a million funny stories.
3) — The head coach of the Kardiac Kids Browns, Sam Rutigliano — Talk tons of funny tales, he sports them as well, along with great one-liners. He speaks a lot in parables, and I absolutely love it.
4) — Former Browns fullback and now the team’s alumni director, Kevin Mack — Unlike his image on the field as that of a fierce, powerful runner, he is on the shy side and has the warmest, kindest smile you’ll ever see.
5) — Pro Football Hall of Fame middle guard Bill Willis, and one of two Browns to permanently break the color barrier in all of pro sports coming out of World War II — An icon on the field and in society, he was the man whose photo you see when you look up “gentleman” in the dictionary. My knees shook as I sat on a stool interviewing him.
6) — Former longtime Browns Vice President of Communications Kevin Byrne — Nobody — but nobody — knew media relations, the Browns and the Cleveland market as well as he did. He was, by far, the best I ever saw in this league.
7) — Legendary former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar — He was from here and wanted to play here, and he continues to represent this region so well.
8) — The greatest player of all-time, Jim Brown — The most interesting, and thought-provoking, person I ever met. He was just special. You could feel it.
9) — The late, great Jim Donovan, the forever Voice of the Cleveland Browns — He wasn’t from here, but he was certainly one of us, and that’s something about which we can all be proud. I still can’t believe he’s gone.
10) — Former Browns wide receiver Dave Logan — With his one-handed touchdown catch, a photo of which made the cover of Sports Illustrated’s 1980 NFL Preview Issue, he connected my dad and me in a way that has never stopped grabbing my heart.
Steve King
