This is one of a series of stories about former Browns and their draft experiences.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ernie Green. Who led Brown’s 1964 championship in touchdowns?
Ernie Green was ten. Jim Brown had nine.
Who started at Browns Backfield next to a pair of Hall of Famers? Who often blocked for Leroy Kelly and Jim Brown, but also made two pro bowls?
This is Ernie Green.
I’m opening this story with a little background on Green because he’s one of the most underrated and least appreciated players in Browns history. He was with the team for seven years, rushed for 3,204 Yards and also caught 20 touchdown passes.
It was also Ernie Green who helped the Browns after they lost Ernie Davis to leukemia.
Davis was the first African American wins the Heisman Trophy. It was number 1 in Washington’s 1962 draft. Brown’s trainer Paul Brown was so excited about the idea of bringing Davis and Jim Brown together in the Cleveland Backfield that he brought future Hall of Famer Bobby Mitchell to Washington against the Syracuse star exchanged. Davis then signed the richest rookie deal in NFL history, $ 65,000 over three years.
But Davis was hit with leukemia before playing a regular NFL game of the season. He died on May 13, 1963.
PLEASE FILL IN THIS FORM
In the same 1962 design as Davis was Ernie Green. He was a star who ran back in Louisville. You will find several stories that say he ran approximately 1,586 meters in his college career, but not a lot of other information is available.
“NFL teams would send letters asking about your height, weight, and time on the 40-yard dash,” Green said. “I’ve never had anyone from the NFL speak to me. I suppose you spoke to (Louisville trainer) Frank Camp, but I’m not sure. “
The NFL in 1962 wasn’t a small world, it was a football village. The teams had few (if any) full-time scouts. Most of the head coaches also acted as managing directors. As for these shapes, Green joked you could write anything down about your height and 40 yard time. Who checked? For the best 25 to 50 players, scouting was mostly word of mouth. A Boy Scout knew a trainer who saw a child who “looked pretty good.”
Green was personally tracked down as the third baseman. The Detroit Tigers offered him the opportunity to begin a career with minors. But he wanted to play football where there would be no trip to the minors.
“I knew the NFL draft was going to happen and I thought I was going to be selected,” said Green. “But there was no way to follow it. I don’t think teams even had a phone number for me. “
Green Bay’s Vince Lombardi has signed a deal with Paul Brown to send Ernie Green to Cleveland. AP
THIS IS COACH LOMBARDI
It was a member of the Louisville coaching staff who announced to Green that he was drafted – by the Green Bay Packers. While Ernie Davis was the top pick in 1962, Ernie Green was the last pick in the 14th round – 196 total.
“I ended up talking to Coach (Vince) Lombardi and then one of his assistants,” said Green. “You told me that I was selected in the 14th round. You told me when the training camp opened. “
His contract was a $ 1,500 bonus, a salary (not guaranteed) of $ 8,500, and a chance to go to Green Bay. When he joined the Packers, the backcourt was crowded from the start with future Hall of Famers Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung. They also opted to run Earl Gros back on the first round (# 14) in the same draft as Green. Add in solid veteran Elijah Pitts and there was no room left.
“That was when an NFL team was playing against a team of college all-stars in Chicago,” said Green. “We took the bus and newcomers were on the same bus with the buses.”
As Green got on the bus, he heard Lombardi say to an assistant coach: “It’s a shame the kid is never allowed to play again.” Green later realized that Lombardi was talking about Ernie Davis.
Brown’s head coach Paul Brown and plain dealer writer Chuck Heaton were once legends. Historical collection of the simple trader
VINCE LOMBARDI AND PAUL BROWN
Most fans don’t know that Lombardi adored Paul Brown, whom Lombardi was credited with for helping him become the Packers’ head coach. Early in his career, Lombardi received a call from Brown. The veteran coach had a couple of defensive players who wouldn’t make the Cleveland roster. Brown said, “They will help you.”
Their names were Henry Jordan and Willie Davis who became great defenders.
In 1962, Lombardi would return the favor.
Legendary Plain Dealer sports journalist Chuck Heaton: “Vince called Paul at Hiram College on an August afternoon. “I have a newbie who can help you,” he said. “The child’s name is Ernie Green. … He’s not going to make our team, but he’s good enough to play in the league. ‘”
In a 1964 story, Heaton characterized Paul Brown as “desperate for a turnaround. … Paul said: ‘Send him along.’ “
Green came to the Browns for a future seventh round election.
“PAUL BROWN AND I ARE VERY GOOD FRIENDS”
There’s another part of the story. Brown didn’t know anything about Green other than that he was playing in Louisville. But Brown’s best assistant was Blanton Collier, who had trained in Kentucky. He called Louisville trainer Frank Camp, and Camp gave Green strong support.
The deal was made. In the meantime, the Packers were playing a preseason game in Dallas. Green received the message to go to Lombardi’s hotel room.
“I always thought they would send me home,” said Green. “I was cut.”
Green knew he looked “shaky” when he met the trainer.
“Take it easy,” said Lombardi. “I don’t cut you. Sit down.”
Green sat and waited.
“This is a numbers game,” said Lombardi. “I’ll take you to Cleveland. Paul Brown and I are very good friends. In fact, Paul persuaded me to take this job. “
With that, Green went to Cleveland. When he arrived Paul Brown said, “Welcome to the Browns. We understand you can play. Get yourself together and get ready to play. “
Green waited for more.
“But that was all he said,” recalled Green.
Jim Brown was helped by the blocking by Ernie Green. AP
CHECK THE LIST
Nothing was guaranteed for Green. Brown would put a list on the bulletin board.
“If your name wasn’t on the list or a coach didn’t get you, then you were fine,” said Green. “No news was good news.”
But Green’s heart was racing and his throat went dry a few times when he checked that list before finally joining the team. He didn’t play much as a rookie, the Browns going with Charley Scales and Tommy Wilson alongside Jim Brown. Cleveland was 7-6-1 that season. When it was over, owner Art sacked model Paul Brown.
Collier became the new coach and that was a big break for Green, who was taking on alongside Jim Brown.
“I was there to block and catch the football,” said Green. “My skills were complementary for Jim. The few times I ran the ball, I ran pretty well. “
Green averaged 4.8 yards per carry over his seven year career.
“We ran so much this lap,” said Green. “If I didn’t block either the defensive end or the linebacker, it would be blown up instantly. I got a big kick out of doing things like that. … If you look up the story of Jim or Leroy Kelly, I was in the background with both of them. I believe in my heart that I played a key role in helping them (into the Hall of Fame) because that was my job. “
Ernie Green became a very successful businessman after his football career.The simple trader
ERNIE GREEN AT 82
Green grew up in Jim Crow, south of Columbus, Georgia. He was the president of his high school class, a member of the National Honor Society. He graduated with honors from Louisville.
A knee injury broke off his career at the age of 30. Green founded Ernie Green Industries (EGI) in Dayton. Plants were eventually grown to make wheel covers and other equipment. He divides the time between Dayton and Florida.
“I still have my season tickets to this day,” he said. “I loved playing for the Browns. The fans are great. I still get mail 3-4 times a week from Brown’s fans. The Browns are like one of my kids, I love them no matter what. “
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