Center was one of a number of positions that got off to a roaring start with the early Browns.

In fact, the Browns began at the top, with Pro Football Hall of Famer Frank “Gunner” Gatski manning the position as the full-time starter from 1947, the franchise’s second season, through 1956. It launched a legacy of excellence — no more Hall of Famers, but good players nonetheless — with, in order, Art Hunter, John Morrow, who snapped the ball to quarterback Frank Ryan in the blowout win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship Game, and then Fred Hoaglin, who took over as the starter full-time in 1967 and remained in that role through ‘70. He was a part-time starter in 1971 and ‘72, just as he had been in his rookie season of 1966 when he was the latter of two sixth-round picks in the NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl once and nearly made it to the Super Bowl with the 1968 and ‘69 teams that played in the NFL (NFC) Championship Game.

After his seven seasons in Cleveland, Hoaglin finished his 11-year NFL career with the Baltimore Colts (1973), the Browns’ AFC Central rivals, the Houston Oilers (1974-75) and the expansion Seattle Seahawks (1976).

Not bad at all for someone who got his start playing at tiny East Palestine High School in Columbiana County, located about 20 miles south of Youngstown on the Pennsylvania border.

Hoaglin passed away recently. He was 82.

After he retired as a player, he embarked upon a nearly 25-year coaching career with the Detroit Lions, New York Giants and New England Patriots, all as offensive line coach, and lastly with the Jacksonville Jaguars as tight ends coach. He won two Super Bowls with the Giants.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Steve King