Fansided
Fansided

NFL Greatest Unsung Heroes In History of All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 8: Joe Jurevicius #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball while pursued by Ray Buchanan #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL game on December 8, 2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons 34-10. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: A Cleveland Browns helmet rests on the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Browns 29-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 11: A Cleveland Browns helmet rests on the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Browns 29-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns

Frank Ryan . 8. player. 53. . QB. Cleveland Browns

Facts are facts. The 1960s were all about Jim Brown. Many were hailing the running back as the greatest player ever witnessed in NFL history. The staggering numbers and highlights were more than enough to sell that point. People believed he made the quarterback position irrelevant. Except for years he’d failed to win a championship with the Cleveland Browns.

It wasn’t until Frank Ryan arrived in 1962 that things began to change. The quarterback lived in Brown’s shadow for two years going into the 1964 season, but Brown had to take a backseat to him when it mattered most. Cleveland reached the NFL championship game where they faced the mighty Baltimore Colts and Johnny Unitas.

Brown did have 114 yards on the day but it was Ryan who broke the game open, throwing three touchdown passes. Baltimore failed to respond in a 27-0 defeat. In the end, it wasn’t Brown who brought home the bacon. It was Ryan.

Home/Power Rankings