Cleveland Browns

Here are the 1967 Browns. I got all these cards back in 1967 except for Ernie Green.

#37 Browns Team - In 1966 (their first post-Jim Brown season) they STILL led the league with 2166 yards rushing, and finished with a 9-5 record.

#44 Frank Ryan - After serving as the backup with the Rams from 1958-61, Ryan was traded to the Browns, and soon took over as the starting QB. He made 3 Pro Bowls, before being replaced by Bill Nelsen in 1968. His last 2 seasons (1969-70) were spent backing up Sonny Jurgensen in Washington.


#43 Leroy Kelly - Primarily a return artist in his first 2 seasons, when Jim Brown retired following the 1965 season, Kelly became the starting halfback in 1966, rushing for 1141 yards, making his 1st Pro Bowl, and was voted All-League by all 3 news services. He led the NFL in rushing in 1967 and 1968. Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.

#41 Ernie Green - Previously the Browns starting halfback (where he averaged 480 yards per season from 1963-65), Green switched to fullback in 1966 (replacing Jim Brown). Ernie rushed for 750 and 710 yards in '66 and '67.


#39 Gary Collins - Collins played his entire career (1962-71) with the Browns. His best seasons were 1963-67, and 1969. He was also the Browns punter from 1962-67.


#46 Paul Warfield - Paul was the Brown' starting split end from his rookie season in 1964 through the 1969 season (missing most of 1965). He was the Dolphins' top receiver from 1970-74, and played in 3 consecutive Super Bowls there. After a year in the WFL (1975), Warfield returned to Cleveland for his final 2 seasons. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983.


THREE offensive linemen are featured in this Browns' set - and with good reason: All 3 made the Pro Bowl in 1966. These guys cleared the way for Jim Brown, and later, Leroy Kelly.

#42 Gene Hickerson - Gene spent his entire career (1958-73) as Cleveland's right guard. He made 6 Pro Bowls and was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 2007.


#47 John Wooten - This 2-time Pro Bowler played for the Browns from 1959 to 1967, before wrapping up with the Redskins in 1968.


#45 Dick Schafrath - Another career Brown (1959-71), Dick was a fixture at left tackle, and made 6 Pro Bowls.


#38 John Brewer - Brewer played for the Browns (1961-67) and the Saints (1968-70). He was a tight end until switching to outside linebacker in 1966.


#40 Ross Fichtner - Ross played safety for the Browns from 1960 to 1967, before finishing up with the Saints in 1968.



#48 Browns' Logo - The Browns never get mentioned as a "winner" because they've never been in the Super Bowl. From the time they joined the league in 1950 up until the start of the Super Bowl era, they were in the NFL Championship game 8 times, winning 4 ('50, '54, '55, '64) and losing 4 ('51, '52, '53, '65). They also lost a tie-breaker playoff game to the Giants in 1958, which allowed New York to face the Colts in "The Greatest Game Ever Played". The Browns also won the AAFC Championship for each year of that league's existence (1946-49).


Also check out the 1968 and 1972 Browns.


Next time: Dallas Cowboys
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