Paul Brown is an iconic figure in the annals of NFL history, renowned for his innovative coaching methods and profound influence on the game. Founder of the Cincinnati Bengals and all-time leader in championships as a coach (seven), his legacy extends far beyond the gridiron.
Brown's strategic brilliance revolutionized the sport, shaping its modern landscape and leaving an indelible mark on generations of players, coaches, and fans. In exploring his life and contributions, one uncovers not only a master tactician but also a visionary whose impact transcends the boundaries of football.
1947 AP
Paul Brown was the first coach to:
- Study plays using notebook and classroom techniques
- Relay plays from the sideline rather than called in the huddle
- Place an assistant coach in the press box to collect and communicate information
- Evaluate players through film study
- Hire a full-time coaching staff
- Require players to stay in a hotel together the evening before home and road games
Gene Herrick/AP1970
Inventions
- The face mask
- The notion of a passing pocket to protect the quarterback
- The draw play
- The taxi squad
- The timed 40-yard dash
Accolades
- Won 7 Championships - the most in league history
- Led Ohio State to their first NCAA Football National Championship (1942)
- Only person to win a national championship as a head coach at the NFL, college, and high school levels
- Won 213 games as head coach at professional football level
- Helped break the color barrier in professional football when he signed two African-American players - Bill Willis and Marion Motley - in 1946, a year before Jackie Robinson's MLB debut
- Winningest head coach for the Cleveland Browns
