Spring is an annual renewal for everybody. Particularly within the NFL. The free company interval begins in March, the school draft is a fixture on the finish of April, after which the league schedules are launched in Might.
The Cleveland Browns have taken each alternative to enhance their roster for the upcoming season utilizing all of those occasions.
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However as Mom’s Day after which Father’s Day roll up in Might and June, it turns into reminders of individuals in our lives that we’ve misplaced over time. Final 12 months’s listing may be discovered right here.
Every year, NFL brethren additionally go away. Sadly, our gridiron heroes don’t final ceaselessly. The latest well being points concerning Bernie Kosar are a stark reminder of how our favourite gamers aren’t Superman off the sphere. Simply as our heroes are celebrated in life, here’s a snapshot of a number of former Browns who handed from this earth in 2025.
(Credit score: Jim Farnon, Downingtown Media)
Profession: Los Angeles Rams 1962-1968, Philadelphia Eagles 1969-1970, Rams 1971, Browns 1972-1973, Southern California Solar 1974-1975
Carollo was a second-round draft decide after a stellar profession out of Notre Dame. He was additionally taken in Spherical 18 within the AFL draft. From 1965 to 1967, he had a second gig as an expert wrestler and competed in three states in addition to in Japan, the place he as soon as confronted “Mr. Moto” in a match.
His taking part in weight was thought-about one of many largest within the sport on the time, at simply 265 kilos. Carollo had a repute for being a imply and nasty participant. This was throughout the time of the annual Chicago Charities Faculty All-Stars in an exhibition sport towards the defending NFL Champions. Carollo was chosen to play in simply the second sport ever of this collection.
He got here to Cleveland from the Rams and was positioned on the taxi squad for 2 video games, then performed in all 12 video games in 1973. Carollo bought the nickname “Jet” throughout his time with the Rams as a result of he as soon as missed the flight dwelling from an away sport after which needed to pay his personal manner dwelling.
1958 Professional Bowl Western Squad: QB Y.A Tittle, WR Invoice Howton entrance row on left (Getty Pictures) Corbis by way of Getty Pictures
Profession: Inexperienced Bay Packers 1952-1958, Browns 1959, Dallas Cowboys 1960-1963
Howton, nicknamed “Red Fox” because of his shiny crimson hair, performed 12 years within the NFL after being named an All-American in 1951. He was the primary receiver to catch 500 balls in professional soccer historical past. He was named to the Corridor of Very Good in 2024 and the Rice Athletic Corridor of Fame.
Howton was taken in Spherical 2 of the 1952 NFL draft and set a rookie touchdowns file of 13. He went on to develop into one of many Packers’ most profitable receivers. In 1958, Packers head coach Vince Lombardi traded Howton to the Browns for a defensive finish and a working again. When the Cowboys held their enlargement draft earlier than 1960, they chose Howton away from Cleveland. In 1963, Howton grew to become the NFL’s All-Time main receiver in receptions and receiving yards.
Cleveland Security Ernie Kellerman (24) undercuts Denver QB Al Pastrana (12) (Picture By Barry Staver/The Denver Publish by way of Getty Pictures) Denver Publish by way of Getty Pictures
Profession: Cowboys 1965, Browns 1965-1971, Cincinnati Bengals 1972, Buffalo Payments 1973
Kellerman performed eight seasons within the NFL, six with Cleveland after being taken within the twelfth spherical of the 1965 NFL draft by Dallas. He performed each quarterback and defensive again in highschool and likewise at Miami of Ohio. He was named First Workforce All-MAC three straight years.
The Cowboys reduce him after his first coaching camp, and he was picked up by the Browns, who stashed him on their taxi squad. The next season, he made the primary roster and had 17 interceptions in six seasons. He had six in 1968 and was named to the Professional Bowl.
Rudy Kuechenberg (Credit score: 1970 Sota Smith, Chicago Tribune)
Profession: Cowboys 1965, Philadelphia Bulldogs 1965, Cowboys 1966, Chicago Bears 1967-1969, Browns 1970, Packers 1970, Atlanta Falcons 1971, Chicago Fireplace 1974
Kuechenberg gained a state championship in highschool. He performed each methods whereas attending Indiana, then was invited to the North-South Shrine Recreation. He was a boxer whereas at Indiana and have become a Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champ.
He went undrafted in 1965 and signed with the Cowboys. Kuechenberg was a last-day reduce after which performed within the Continental Soccer League with Philly and had 5 interceptions that season. He re-signed with Dallas and once more was launched. In 1966, he signed with the Bears, the place he performed in each sport for 3 seasons.
Chicago launched him, and he was inked to a cope with Cleveland, the place he solely performed in three video games. In 1974, Kuechenberg performed within the maiden season of the World Soccer League and earned All-WFL honors.
Norfolk Each day Information
Profession: Browns 1977, Minnesota Vikings 1978
Lingenfelter was thought-about an enormous man, standing 6’-7” and weighing 277 kilos. In highschool, he set college information for the shot put and the discus, was a state runner-up in wrestling, and was named All-State in soccer. He then stayed in-state and went to Nebraska, the place he was named First Workforce All-Massive 8.
Lingenfelter was inducted into the Plainview Excessive Faculty Corridor of Fame (2021) and the Nebraska Soccer Corridor of Fame (2006).
1969: Quarterback Invoice Nelsen #16 of the Cleveland Browns throws a go whereas working again Ron Johnson #30 blocks defensive finish Jim Marshall #70 of the Minnesota Vikings Diamond Pictures/Getty Pictures
Profession: Browns 1960, Vikings 1961-1979
Taken within the fourth spherical of the 1960 NFL draft, Marshall performed sparingly in his rookie 12 months. In that season, he contracted encephalitis and was significantly in poor health. They positioned him in a coma in an effort to save his life. Browns’ head coach Paul Brown drafted Marshall. When the enlargement Vikings got here into the league the next 12 months, the Browns traded 5 gamers for 2 draft picks. Marshall was a part of that deal.
Marshall was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and had left Ohio State a 12 months early and signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in an effort to achieve some funding. He then joined Cleveland a 12 months later, however solely began 4 video games.
Former Roughriders head coach Bud Grant took over the enlargement Vikings and needed Marshall. He performed 20 years and have become one of many biggest Vikings gamers ever. He was voted crew captain 14 instances. His #70 jersey was retired. He was included within the Vikings twenty fifth Anniversary Workforce, plus the Vikings fortieth Anniversary Workforce. Marshall’s title is listed within the Vikings Ring of Honor.
Invoice Thompson (left) and John Pitts scramble (Picture By Invoice Wunsch/The Denver Publish by way of Getty Pictures) Denver Publish by way of Getty Pictures
Profession: Payments 1967-1973, Denver Broncos 1973-1974, Browns 1975, Broncos 1975
Pitts performed 9 years within the NFL. He was taken with the twenty second general decide within the first spherical by the Payments within the 1967 NFL draft. This was the primary frequent draft with the NFL and AFL.
The gifted security performed for nearly seven years with Buffalo earlier than being despatched to Denver. In 1975, he performed one season with the Browns, the place he performed in six video games with two begins. He was inducted into the Santa Ana Faculty Corridor of Fame (2006).
Defensive lineman Derreck Robinson #67 of the Cleveland Browns (Picture by George Gojkovich/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
Profession: San Diego Chargers 2005-2006, Miami Dolphins 2007, Cowboys 2009, Browns 2009-2010
Robinson grew up in Minnesota and went to Iowa. He was a part of two Iowa rosters that shared Massive-10 titles. He went undrafted within the 2005 NFL draft and signed a rookie free agent cope with the Chargers. He was out of soccer in 2008 after which signed with the Browns, the place he performed in 17 video games. He had 24 tackles in 2010.
His demise was reported as attributable to a pulmonary thromboembolism because of deep vein thrombosis. After soccer, he settled within the San Diego space, the place he handed away.
Defensive lineman John Thornton of the Cleveland Browns (Picture by George Gojkovich/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
Profession: New Orleans Saints 1991, Browns 1991, Chargers 1993, Vikings 1993, Falcons 1994, Toronto Argonauts 1995
Thornton was a three-year starter with the College of Cincinnati however was undrafted within the 1991 NFL draft. He signed with the New Orleans Saints, however was a last-day reduce. Two days later, he signed with the Browns, who positioned him on their follow squad. He was promoted to the primary roster in late November and performed 5 video games.
The next coaching camp, he broke his leg after which developed a blood clot, which just about took his life. He missed all of 1992. Through the 1993 coaching camp, he was launched in early August. He then tried to catch on with three different NFL golf equipment in addition to Toronto of the CFL.
Offensive lineman Larry Williams #70 of the Cleveland Browns (Picture by George Gojkovich/Getty Pictures) Getty Pictures
Profession: Browns 1986-1988, Chargers 1989-1990, Chiefs 1991, Saints 1991, New England Patriots 1992
Williams had a stellar profession at Notre Dame, the place he was named Second Workforce All-American as a junior and likewise as a senior. He was taken in Spherical 10 of the 1985 NFL draft by the Browns.
He performed in 42 video games for Cleveland with 33 begins. He had shoulder surgical procedure in 1989, and through “Plan B” with the early phases of free company, he was left unprotected by the Browns. The Chargers scooped him up however ended up on the PUP listing. After being launched, he performed six video games with the Saints and 9 with the Patriots.
Williams completed his legislation diploma after soccer and practiced for six years in Indianapolis. He then labored for Notre Dame in licensing from 1999 to 2003. In the summertime of 2004, he grew to become the athletic director on the College of Portland, after which the AD at Marquette in 2011. In 2015, he took the AD gig on the College of Akron earlier than being named to the identical publish on the College of San Francisco in 2022.
His spouse, Laura Lee, is a former nationwide champion in tennis whereas at Notre Dame.
1964 NFL Champions Cleveland Browns misplaced 4 this 12 months
The 1964 Browns had been the second 12 months that Blanton Collier was the pinnacle coach after Paul Brown was let go after the 1962 season and a 7-6-1 end. Cleveland had missed the playoffs the previous 4 years.
The 1963 squad beneath Collier went 10-4-0 and completed one sport out of first place within the Japanese Division. Again then, solely the first-place golf equipment performed within the championship sport.
The 1964 Browns gained the division with a 10-3-1 file, a half-game above the 9-3-2 St. Louis Cardinals. Cleveland had misplaced and tied the Cardinals throughout the season. The Browns’ opponent within the NFL Championship Recreation was the mighty Baltimore Colts, who completed 12-2-0 and had led the league in scoring with 428 factors.
The sport was scheduled to be performed on the dwelling stadium of the Japanese Division champs, so the Browns had at the least an prompt benefit with a stadium that had seating for 78,000. Nevertheless, they had been 17-point underdogs because the Colts had gained the Western Division by four-and-a-half video games. The 2 golf equipment didn’t play one another within the common season. The Colts had eight gamers named to the Professional Bowl that 12 months and 5 named First Workforce All-Professional.
The Baltimore offense had 5 gamers on offense and one on protection who would find yourself within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, and was coached by HOF coach Don Shula.
The rating at halftime was 0-0 as Cleveland’s protection got here to play and stymied the Colts highly effective offensive machine. Gary Collins scored three second-half touchdowns because the Browns shocked Baltimore 27-0. The victory is the final soccer championship for the Metropolis of Cleveland.
Not one of the coaches are nonetheless with us. Going into this previous 12 months, there have been 19 gamers from that championship crew nonetheless alive. Listed below are the 4 who handed away throughout the previous 12 months.
1963: Kicker Lou Groza #76, of the Cleveland Browns, units as much as kick the ball. Bobby Franklin #24 is the holder. (Picture by: Diamond Pictures/Getty Pictures) Diamond Pictures/Getty Pictures
Franklin was a four-sport star in highschool and had his selection going to the school stage, and selected Ole Miss. He was taken by the Browns in Spherical 11 of the 1960 NFL draft and chosen by the Los Angeles Chargers within the AFL draft.
Franklin joined his former school teammate Gene Hickerson. The pair grew to become lifelong buddies. As a rookie, Franklin had eight interceptions. Franklin would later develop into a return specialist, backup punter, and the holder for subject targets and PATs for Lou Groza. He was the beginning security for the 1964 NFL Champs crew.
After soccer, Franklin joined the Dallas Cowboys teaching workers beneath Tom Landry because the DB coach. He was on the workers when the Cowboys gained two Tremendous Bowls. He additionally coached with two different NFL groups earlier than being named the pinnacle coach at Northwest Mississippi Faculty, a publish he held for twenty-four years, and gained two Nationwide Championships. The soccer subject is called after Franklin.
Within the 1964 NFL Championship Recreation, Franklin was the beginning free security.
San Francisco 49ers vast receiver Clifton McNeil (85)
Profession: Browns 1964-1967, San Francisco 49ers 1968-1969, New York Soccer Giants 1970-1971, Washington Redskins 1971-1972, Houston Oilers 1973
McNeil got here from Grambling and was taken in Spherical 11 in 1962 by Cleveland. He performed 10 years within the NFL. He performed 4 seasons with the Browns, however by no means bought a footing as a beginning receiver, with a excessive of 94 yards and nil begins throughout this time interval. Cleveland then traded him to San Fran for draft picks. He had 994 receiving yards with seven TDs in his first season with the 49ers and led the league in receptions with 71. His manufacturing the next 12 months was horrible, they usually despatched him packing.
He landed with the Giants, the place he caught 50 passes for 764 yards and scored 4 touchdowns.
Within the 1964 NFL Championship Recreation, McNeil was a backup receiver.
Frank Parker of the Cleveland Browns (Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey)
Profession: Browns 1962-1964 and 1966-1967, Pittsburgh Steelers 1968, Giants 1969
Parker was a big man in his day, weighing 270 kilos with a top of 6’-5”. He was drafted by the Browns within the sixth spherical of the 1961 NFL draft and within the twenty ninth spherical by the Titans of New York within the AFL.
He missed most of his rookie 12 months with a knee damage, however performed six seasons with Cleveland. Earlier than the 1968 season, he was traded with one other participant to the Steelers for 2 gamers. After soccer, Parker opened Massive Frank’s Sports activities Heart, Comfort Retailer & Fuel Station in Oklahoma.
Within the 1964 NFL Championship Recreation, Parker was a backup defensive finish.
OT Roger Shoals #75 (Credit score: The US Solar)
Profession: Browns 1963-1964, Detroit Lions 1965-1970, Broncos 1971
Shoals grew up in Connecticut and went to Maryland. He was taken within the sixteenth spherical of the NFL draft by the Browns and likewise chosen by the Dallas Texans in Spherical 34 of the AFL draft. He performed 9 seasons within the NFL. He was traded to the Lions and was a fixture on the Lions’ offensive line.
After soccer, Shoals invested in a neighborhood Cadillac dealership in Fleetwood, PA, and likewise grew to become vp of gross sales for Gould Paper Company.
