They called him “The Toe” for his kicking exploits with the Browns over 21 seasons. He also played left tackle.

But before any of that occurred, Lou Groza was on his toes all the time, as in being light on his feet, which is what you have to be to excel in basketball. And he did indeed excel in basketball, as a junior in 1941 leading his Martins Ferry (Ohio) High School Purple Riders to the Class A (big-school) state title. They beat Xenia Central 36-34 in the semifinals and Lakewood 37-30 in the finals. The following season, Groza made third-team All-Ohio.

Along about the same time, another high school basketball player who would end up being a specialist with the Browns, Massillon’s Horace Gillom, was earning two straight All-Ohio selections. Gillom punted and played the modern-day equivalent of tight end with the Browns.

His head coach in Cleveland was also his football and basketball head coach at Massillon, Paul Brown. Brown said Gillom was the best all-around athlete he ever had at Massillon.

Another great Ohio high school basketball player, and all-around athlete, who found his way to the Browns was Bridgeport’s John Havlicek. He was first-team all-state in basketball, football and baseball as a senior. He went on to Ohio State and played basketball, being a member of the school’s only national championship in 1960.

Although Havlicek never played football for the Buckeyes, the Browns selected him in the seventh round of the 1962 NFL Draft as a wide receiver. He almost made the team, being released on the last cut. From there, he went to the NBA’s Boston Celtics and became a Basketball Hall of Famer.

Steve King