CLEVELAND, Ohio – When I first saw photos of the new Browns uniforms unveiled this year I wondered who was modeling them. He was wearing No. 20, but it clearly wasn’t cornerback Tavierre Thomas, who wore 20 during the 2019 season.
It turned out the model was Darrell Taylor, the Browns’ director of youth football.
It would have been odd to see another player modeling No. 20 because we so often associate players with their jersey numbers.
No. 19.
No. 32.
No. 76.
Most Browns fans can name the players who wore those numbers because it’s how we identify players. It’s what we see easiest from the stands or on our televisions. Sometimes it’s even how we refer to players.
Over the past month, I tried to figure out the best Browns players to wear each jersey number. It was also a way to see if players we identify with a particular number truly performed the best while wearing it. The goal was to rank five players at each number. Sometimes that meant good players were left out. Other times, I was struggling to find even three worthy candidates.
In the end, the project led to some interesting results. Otto Graham and Lou Groza claimed two numbers apiece, having each switched numbers during their Hall of Fame careers. Other Hall of Famers, like Marion Motley and Joe DeLamielleure, didn’t find their way to the top of the rankings, even though less memorable players like Travis Prentice and Austin Pasztor did.
Many players switched numbers during their Browns careers (especially those overlapping the move from the AAFC to the NFL), creating a challenge in the rankings. How does a Hall of Famer’s career stack up when split into two parts? Graham and Groza fared well. Dante Lavelli, who also had two numbers with the Browns, claimed only one in the rankings.
In the end, whether you agree with the rankings or not, I hope you enjoyed the memories this project provided.
Here’s the final list of winners at each number:
Browns kicker Phil Dawson (4) celebrates a game-winning field goal in overtime during a 2006 game.The Plain Dealer
1. Michael Jackson
2. Tim Couch
3. Matt Stover
4. Phil Dawson
5. Jeff Garcia
See the complete 1-5 rankings.
Browns quarterback Kelly Holcomb looks downfield for an open receiver against the Colts in 2003.The Plain Dealer
6. Baker Mayfield
7. Jeff Gossett/Tom Tupa
8. Billy Cundiff
9. Matt Bahr
10. Kelly Holcomb
See the complete 6-10 rankings.
Browns quarterback Frank Ryan throws a pass against the Packers.
11. Travis Benjamin
12. Don Cockroft
13. Frank Ryan
14. Otto Graham *
15. Mike Phipps
See the complete 11-15 rankings.
Brian Sipe and Dave Logan have a discussion after a 1982 game with the Browns. The Plain Dealer
16. Milt Plum
17. Brian Sipe
18. Gary Danielson
19. Bernie Kosar
20. Ross Fichtner
See the complete 16-20 rankings.
Browns running back Eric Metcalf stiff arms the Bills' Dwight Drane during a playoff game in 1990.The Plain Dealer
21. Eric Metcalf
22. Clarence Scott
23. Joe Haden
24. Warren Lahr
25. Frank Pitts
See the complete 21-25 rankings.
Browns linebacker Dick Ambrose (52) moves on as Browns safety Thom Darden (27) breaks up a pass for Oakland Raiders tight end Raymond Chester (88) in the 1981 AFC playoff game in Cleveland. ASSOCIATED PRESS
26. Ray Renfro
27. Thom Darden
28. Ben Davis
29. Hanford Dixon
30. Bill Willis
See the complete 26-30 rankings.
Cleveland Browns fullback Jim Brown runs against the Chicago Cardinals for a touchdown during a game in 1958.AP
31. Frank Minnifield
32. Jim Brown
33. Reggie Rucker
34. Greg Pruitt
35. Galen Fiss
See the complete 31-35 rankings.
Browns cornerback Anthony Henry (37) celebrates with teammates after his interception during a 2002 game.The Plain Dealer
36. Ed Ulinski
37. Anthony Henry
38. Weldon Humble
39. Tashaun Gipson
40. Dub Jones
See the complete 36-40 rankings.
Cleveland Browns halfback Leroy Kelly runs with the football during game in 1972 against the Green Bay Packers.AP
41. Travis Prentice
42. Paul Warfield
43. Mike Pruitt
44. Leroy Kelly
45. John Kissell
See the complete 41-45 rankings.
Cleveland Browns linebacker Vince Costello (50) intercepts pass against the Washington Redskins during a 1965 game.
46. Lou Groza *
47. Lawrence Vickers
48. Ernie Green
49. Bobby Mitchell
50. Vince Costello
See the complete 46-50 rankings.
Browns Hall of Fame center Frank "Gunner" Gatski poses in Cleveland.AP
51. Eddie Johnson
52. Frank Gatski
53. Joe Schobert
54. Tom DeLeone
55. Alex Mack
See the complete 51-55 rankings.
Cleveland Browns receiver Dante Lavelli (56) tries to catch a pass between two Philadelphia Eagles defenders.ASSOCIATED PRESS
56. Dante Lavelli
57. Clay Matthews
58. Mac Speedie
59. Mike Johnson
60. Otto Graham *
See the complete 56-60 rankings.
Browns defensive back and quarterback Cliff Lewis poses for a photo in 1950.
61. Mike Baab
62. Cliff Lewis
63. Cody Risien
64. Jim Ray Smith
65. John Demarie
See the complete 61-65 rankings.
Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Dan Fike signs autographs after a practice.
66. Gene Hickerson
67. Austin Pasztor
68. Robert E. Jackson
69. Dan Fike
70. Don Colo
See the complete 66-70 rankings.
The Bengals' Fred Willis (arrow) tries to each the end zone against the Browns' Jerry Sherk (72), Jim Houston (82) and Bill Andrews (52) during a game in 1971.
71. Walter Johnson
72. Jerry Sherk
73. Joe Thomas
74. Mike McCormack
75. Joel Bitonio
See the complete 71-75 rankings.
Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon (1) is sacked for a 4-yard loss by Cleveland Browns defensive end Carl Hairston (78) during a game in 1985.AP
76. Lou Groza *
77. Dick Schafrath
78. Carl Hairston
79. Bob Gain
80. Len Ford
See the complete 76-80 rankings.
Cleveland Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome (82) catches a touchdown pass over New York Jets defender George Radachowsky (25) during a game in 1989.AP
81. Jack Gregory
82. Ozzie Newsome
83. Johnny Brewer
84. Paul Wiggin
85. Dave Logan
See the complete 81-85 rankings.
Gary Collins (86) catches a touchdown pass against the Oilers in 1971.The Plain Dealer
86. Gary Collins
87. Andre Davis
88. Pete Brewster
89. Milt Morin
90. Rob Burnett
See the complete 86-90 rankings.
Browns defensive lineman Gerard Warren pressures Chiefs quarterback Trent Green during a game in 2003.The Plain Dealer
91. Henry Bradley
92. Michael Dean Perry
93. Trevon Coley
94. Gerard Warren
95. Myles Garrett
See the complete 91-95 rankings.
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard (97) fights off Detroit Lions center Travis Swanson (64) during a preseason game in 2014.AP
96. Reggie Camp
97. Jabaal Sheard
98. Anthony Pleasant
99. Orpheus Roye
See the complete 96-99 rankings.
(* = player represents two jersey numbers.)
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