Graham, Otto Everett, Jr.

▪ 2004

      American football player (b. Dec. 6, 1921, Waukegan, Ill.—d. Dec. 17, 2003, Sarasota, Fla.), was nicknamed “Automatic Otto” for his consistently outstanding play as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. During his 10 years as a professional player (1946–55), he never missed a game, maintained an 8.63-yd-per-passing-attempt average, and led the Browns to 10 straight championship games—four in the All-America Football Conference and six more after the Browns joined the National Football League (NFL). Graham attended Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., on a basketball scholarship and was twice recognized (1943, 1944) as an All-American at guard. Though he had not been invited to try out for the football team, he was immediately taken onto the varsity squad after an assistant coach saw him play at an intramural game. Graham was again named an All-American, this time as a tailback. He spent his entire professional career with the Browns, with whom he collected 105 regular-season wins, with only 17 losses and 4 draws. After Graham took a late hit to the mouth during a 1953 game, trainers improvised a plastic guard for his helmet, and he thereby became the first NFL player to wear a face mask. In his final game he threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the Browns' 38–14 championship victory over the Los Angeles Rams. After retiring, Graham took a number of coaching positions, including stints at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (1959–66 and 1970–84). He returned to the NFL as coach and general manager of the Washington Redskins (1966–68) but posted a lacklustre 17–22–3 record. In 1965 Graham was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame, and his number (14) was retired by the Browns.

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