This Week in Sports History: Browns Turn Cleveland Into Title Town

The American Football League was by far the most prominent of the gridiron leagues that challenged the established National Football League for players, popularity, and prestige. In fact, the AFL was so successful that it convinced the NFL to merge with it in 1970. The AFL also won two of the four Super Bowls contested prior to that merger.

But a lesser-known league also made its presence felt on the U.S. football landscape. The All-America Football Conference lasted only four years (1946-49), but it produced several teams – Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Colts – that merged into the NFL in 1950.

On December 11, 1949, the Browns defeated the 49ers 21-7 in the AAFC Championship Game at muddy and slushy Cleveland Municipal Stadium, the final game in league history. Scoring rushing touchdowns for the Browns were eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer and fullback Marion Motley and halfbacks Edgar Jones and Dub Jones. The lone 49ers’ score came on a 23-yard pass from quarterback Frankie Albert to end Paul Salata.

It marked the fourth consecutive AAFC title for the Browns, who during the league’s four seasons posted a cumulative regular-season record of 45-4-3 and a postseason record of 5-0. Coached by the legendary Paul Brown, the team’s other stars included quarterback Otto Graham, ends Dante Lavelli and Mac Speedie, defensive backs Tom Colella and Cliff Lewis, and kicker Lou Groza. 

Perhaps even more amazing than its AAFC dominance was what the Browns accomplished following the merger. Skeptics claimed the Browns’ success was due to inferior competition and that they would fall flat on their faces in the NFL. It didn’t quite work out that way.

The Browns (10-2) tied with the New York Giants for first place in the American Division in 1950, defeated the Giants 8-3 in the division title game, and knocked off the Los Angeles Rams 30-28 in the NFL Championship Game. The Browns ended up playing in the NFL Championship Game seven times in their first eight seasons, winning three titles.

What else occurred during this week in sports history?

December 10, 1983: Martina Navratilova won her eighth career Grand Slam singles title in the Australian Open, defeating Kathy Jordan in straight sets.

December 11, 1951: Joe DiMaggio announced his retirement from baseball following a 13-year career. The nine-time World Series champion, 13-time American League All-Star, and three-time AL Most Valuable Player was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1955.

December 13, 1983 – In the highest scoring game in NBA history, the Detroit Pistons defeated the host Denver Nuggets 186-184 in three overtimes at McNichols Sports Arena. Isiah Thomas (47 points, 17 assists) led the Pistons, while Denver’s Kiki Vandeweghe scored a game-high 51 points.

December 12, 1965 – Chicago Bears rookie halfback Gale Sayers tied an NFL record with six touchdowns in a 61-20 victory over San Francisco at Wrigley Field. Sayers scored on runs of 50, 21, seven, and one yards; an 80-yard pass play from quarterback Rudy Bukich; and an 85-yard punt return.

December 13, 1977 – Fourteen members of the University of Evansville (Indiana) men’s basketball team died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff. One team member, David Furr, was not on the plane due to an ankle injury. Two weeks later, he died in a car accident.

December 13, 2022 – Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored a hat trick in a 7-3 win at Chicago to join Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history with 800 goals.

December 16, 1972 – The Miami Dolphins defeated the Baltimore Colts 16-0 to become the first team in NFL history to post a 14-0 regular-season record. One month later they completed a 17-0 season with a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

December 16, 1973 – Running back O.J. Simpson rushed for 200 yards in a 34-14 win over the New York Jets at Shea Stadium, becoming the first player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards (2,003) in a season.

Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Feel free to check out my sports books on the Books page of this site.