Famous Ohioans: Paul Brown

Pick up a copy of this Weekender (Feb. 19-20) newspaper that includes a special section containing profiles of Famous Ohioans. Paul Brown Football coach, founding role in creating the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals Quote "A winner never whines." -Paul Brown Vitals • Birthdate: Sept. 7, 1908 • Birthplace: Norwalk, Ohio • Death date: Aug. 5, 1991 • Age at death: 82 • Burial location: Rose Hill Cemetery, Massillon, Ohio • Spouses: Katie Kester, Mary Rightsell • Children: Robin, Mike, Peter Brown Roles • Massillon Washington High School football head coach, 1932-40 • Ohio State football head coach, 1941-43 • Cleveland Browns head coach/general manager and part owner: 1946-62 • Cincinnati Bengals head coach: 1968-75 • Cincinnati Bengals owner/president: 1968-91 Important facts • Brown was born in Norwalk, lived on East Elm Street and attended Benedict Elementary School before his family relocated to Massillon. • Brown is credited with creating numerous football innovations still in use today, like the playbook, the modern facemask, practice squads and full-time position coaches. • Brown won championships coaching high school football, the Ohio State Buckeyes and was a three-time NFL champion with the Cleveland Browns, a team he also helped found. After being fired by Brown's owner Art Modell, he helped form the Cincinnati Bengals, where he served as an executive and head coach. • The Cincinnati Bengals' current stadium, Paul Brown Stadium, is named in his honor. His son, Mike, is the team's owner. • A committee recently formed in Norwalk to discuss possibly commissioning a statue of Brown in his Maple City hometown.