EDITOR’S NOTE: In honoring the fact that February is Black History Month, we continue with a short series on Browns Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Bobby Mitchell. Previous story

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No one has ever suggested that Oct. 15, 1961 is one of the most important dates in Browns history.

So, then, please allow me to be the first.

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It, in fact, what happened that day changed so many people and things, and even three NFL franchises — four, including one that wasn’t even born yet, if you let the course of history play out to its fullest.

It was the day that, in a battle of 3-1 teams, the Green Bay Packers ran roughshod over the Browns — literally and figuratively — to the tune of 49-17 at Cleveland Stadium.

The Packers, completely controlling the game from start to finish, led 14-0 in the first quarter, 21-3 at halftime and 28-3 in the third quarter. Their plan of attack was simple. They ran the ball again and again and again, mostly with bruising fullback Jim Taylor, who rushed 21 times for 158 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per try, and four touchdowns. His buddy in the backfield, Paul Hornung, a good power runner in his own right, didn’t get many attempts — just seven — but averaged over five yards per carry in gaining 37 yards.

All told, the Packers had 216 yards rushing, by far the most that would be allowed all season by a good Cleveland defense, one that had limited its previous two opponents to seven points each.

Browns head coach Paul Brown couldn’t get the images of that day out of his head. They cut right to his heart and soul. The team is named for him, so as such, his fingerprints were all over that performance.

Ugh.

Indeed, nothing good could come out of this thumping.

Or could it?

Steve King

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