Running Back Week continues here at Cleveland Reboot, as several readers accepted the challenge I laid out yesterday – where I asked why I should care about Browns’ Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly.

Tuesday Feedback: Reader Edition

First, from regular contributor jhf44lk…  

The stats speak volumes about why 44lk is relevant. I guess if you were not alive when he played Mr. Kelly does not matter! Geez DK you almost sound like a Cowboy fan who thinks the NFL championships only count since the 1990’s. Wow…that was kinda harsh, (sorry ) but I have lived for 50 years on this planet and have never heard anyone ask why Leroy Kelly is important to Browns History and the history of great running backs. Perhaps I need to get out more but come on…

I never claimed that Kelly “didn’t matter”, but rather I was trying to figure out his place of importance in Browns’ history. 

And to further clarify my thoughts – always remember the following:

1.  I’m not a stat guy.  And offensive linemen are still the most important players on the field.

2.  I have some rather extreme views on how the Hall of Fame needs to make some revisions to its selection process. 

3.  Hence, the following….Tearing Down the Hall

4.  I realize we haven’t won anything in decades, but I still feel that continual celebrations of a past that most fans weren’t around to see ultimately cheapen the image of our current team….as well as make us cheap fodder for patronizing cliches. 

5.  “The storied tradition….” is usually just the setup for a thinly veiled insult.

6.  And yes, the MartyBall teams of the 80’s are the closest thing to a champion that I have ever experienced.

7.  But despite all of the above, I’m always willing to be enlightened.

As for Kelly, it appears that the convincing I was looking for was found on the only level that matters in sports – the most personal ones.

After all, numbers tend to depreciate over time; however, memories will always grow.

Next, from Reboot Hall of Famer Keith Vlasak….

Leroy Kelly, listed as a 6′0″, 202 pound halfback drafted in the 8th round out of Morgan State as a punt and kickoff return specialist.

In ‘64 and ‘65 he was way down on the depth chart, not only behind Jim Brown and Ernie Green, the starters, but behind people named Charlie Scales and Jamie Caleb.

After Brown retired (at the end of 1965), Kelly won the starting job beside Green (in 1966) and rushed 1141 yards (a league leading 5.5 yards per carry) and scored 15 rushing touchdowns, which also led the league. The 1966 league leader in rushing was Gale Sayers with 1231 yards (and 8 TDs and a 5.4 average).

In 1967 and ‘68, Kelly led the league in rushing with totals of 1205 and 1239 yards and led both years in rushing TDs with 11 and 16 (and in 1968, he led the league in scoring with 120 points from 20 TDs total).

In 1969 Gale Sayers was back on top in rushing.

After the 1973 season, Kelly was waived and claimed by Oakland and then was a 1974 Raider training camp cut.

In his 10 years (all with the Browns), Kelly rushed for 7274 yards (1727 carries for a 4.2 average), which was, AT THE TIME (and therefore more significant to Hall of Fame induction), the 4th highest career rushing yards in NFL history (only behind Jim Brown, Jim Taylor, and Joe Perry). He was an ALL-PRO selection 5 times, (‘66, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘71) and in the PRO BOWL 6 times (1966-1972). He scored 90 touchdowns for 540 points, which put him behind only (Note: on the old Browns as I think Dawson is among the leaders now) Lou Groza, Don Cockcroft, Jim Brown, and Matt Bahr.

In the years 1966-1973, when Kelly was the featured back, the Browns Won-Lost records were 9-5, 9-5, 10-4, 10-3-1, 7-7, 9-5, 10-4, 7-5-2; and their playoff record: 1967, lost to Dallas 14-52, 1968 beat Dallas 31-20 and lost the NFC championship to Baltimore 0-34, 1969 beat Dallas 38-14 and lost the NFC championship to Minnesota 7-27, 1971 lost to Baltimore 3-20, 1972 gave the undefeated Dolphins a close playoff game but lost 14-20.

I don’t see how Leroy Kelly wouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame (but do note, as per your point, that Gene Hickerson was all-pro for the Browns in the late 60’s, as Schafrath was in the middle 60’s and Jim Ray Smith was in the early 60’s — but, should we dismiss the accomplishments of Packers, such as Jim Taylor, because Kramer and Gregg were all pros?).

On the other hand, Earnest Byner who was rightfully called the heart and soul of the offense in his years with the Browns (remember that his fumble was because he would NOT QUIT), and the team did have a pretty good won-lost record when he was with them, too, scored 29 touchdowns for the Browns (he also played for the Redskins, of course) and, with 3583 rushing yards, was behind (in order) Brown, Kelly, Mike Pruitt, Greg Pruitt, and Kevin Mack.

Keith’s note regarding the Browns’ playoff success with Kelly is probably the best insight I’ve gained over the past day or so.  In a league that celebrates above average contributors as legends - depending on their level of championship success - perhaps the greatest case to be made against Kelly is the idea that his Browns’ teams never won a title. 

And for someone whose first Browns’ memories was Brian Sipe leaving for the USFL, this would explain why Kelly’s Hall of Fame pedigree was not ingrained in my psyche.  Of course, this also explains how I can loosely compare Kelly’s career to Earnest Byner’s.  After all, they each were about the same distance away from a title.

However in the end, it really comes down to perspective….and to the moment in time when one’s Browns fandom was conceived.

From G Stu….

It always seemed that the worse the weather was the better Leroy played. He was one of my favorite players then and as a kid I’d pretend I was 44 when I was playing in the backyard with my friends.

And again from jhf44lk….

I am a skinny little boy from Cleveland Ohio but I remember like it was yesterday, watching Leroy Kelly run up and down the field and I wanted to be a pro football player because he ran so effortlessly, so smoothly, so quietly.

And from superjoe…

Kelly was also reportedly one of the greatest running backs EVER on a muddy field – which most of them were in those days. No Astroturf back then. He also was a special teams standout returning punts and kickoffs.

Here’s a sad little bit of NFL evolution to swallow - the days of “muddy fields” are virtually over.  Taking a cue from the overtly political and frenzied current state of NFL capitalism, it just isn’t cost efficient to play on real, live grass without installing a drainage system that could instantly suck up hurricane waters. 

Again, not to take anything from Kelly – but try convincing a teenage NFL fan of his greatness using this argument. 

Anyway – and more importantly, what G Stu and jhf44lk offer is much more convincing and valid argument – one that can’t be disputed.  If football is nothing else, it is a stimulus for dreams. 

Again – referring back to one’s perspective, there is no higher compliment to pay a player than to emulate him in your backyard.

For fans who grew up with Kelly, imitating his electric moves was the kind of idolatry that proves far more important than debating on-field merits.  To many fans and more than a few readers of this site, Kelly was a permanent fixture in their youth and helped form a lifelong identity with the Browns. 

For this, he clearly deserves a prominent place in Browns’ history.

And a few video links – what could be a better honor?

Here’s a nice piece on Kelly…and clear evidence of the evolution of facial hair in America…

And another – a bit more contemporary – meaning fewer ’staches.  Stop at 1:45 unless you want to get into a Paul Warfield debate….

And some more – is it just me, or is there a little Adrian Peterson in Leroy Kelly?  Sorry, I meant Leroy Kelly in Adrian Peterson…

Finally, one more thing. 

In researching topics for an upcoming book – which will be completed some twenty years from now, considering my attention span – I cannot for the life of me figure out if the Browns actually existed from the years 1973-1979.  I realize that the early 70’s teams were still a playoff contender, but there appears to be a dark period that exists between 1972 and the Kardiac Kids of 1980. 

Any memories you have, please send them my way – either here or at clevelandbrownsreboot@gmail.com.

Oh, and just for the record – we’re still Browns Nation.