The Cleveland Browns are a franchise which, historically, has been built on a solid running game. From the Browns’ inception in 1946 to today, these are the top five running backs in Cleveland Browns franchise history.
The Cleveland Browns are historically built on a bruising running game, shut-down defenses, and a confident, tough-guy attitude. First and foremost, Browns running backs are known for their historical greatness, and more importantly, historical dominance.
Younger fans may find this hard to believe, but the Cleveland Browns ruled the NFL at one time, on the shoulders of great running offenses. Although quarterbacks have been the talk of the league for a couple of decades now, running backs were once the most important position on the field.
Cleveland’s running backs gave their squad an advantage over nearly every other team in the league. It became a theme that the Browns’ group of running backs were bigger, stronger, faster, and meaner than anyone else in the NFL.
Throughout franchise history, there have been a plethora of Pro Football Hall of Fame-level running backs in Cleveland. Not only that, but one of them likely lays claim to the title of “best football player ever.”
So, needless to say, it’s time to split some hairs. This list was not easy to make, as the space between numbers five through one is almost annoying small. Our list is not objective, nor is it the end all, be all of this conversation.
So without any further ado, this is our list of the top five running backs in Cleveland Browns franchise history.
5. Kevin Mack (1985-1993)
Kicking off our list is one of the best power running backs in Browns history, 1984 draftee, Kevin Mack. Coming out of Clemson University, and then the USFL’s Los Angeles Express, Mack quickly gained a reputation as a man that defenders didn’t even want to tackle.
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Mack earned the nickname “Mack Truck” over the course of his career for a reason. Over nine seasons, Mack racked up 5,123 yards, along with 46 touchdowns and countless broken tackles. At 6-foot and 244, Mack’s stocky build and acceleration allowed him to bust through tacklers.
Would the Browns still have made three conference championship games and five playoff appearances from 1985-1993 without Mack’s presence? It’s impossible to say for sure. But, it seems likely that Mack was able to put them over the hump in the AFC.
4. Greg Pruitt (1973-1981)
For number four, it was difficult to pick just one Pruitt brother to put on this list. Both played for the Browns, played running back, and played at basically the same time. But all in all, Greg Pruitt edges out his brother Mike Pruitt for the number four spot on this list.
Pruitt makes this list because of his incredible production for the Browns. During his nine years in the orange and brown, Pruitt rushed for nearly 5,500 yards, and scored 25 touchdowns. The Browns loved their fullbacks back in the day, and Pruitt was no exception.
Pruitt’s running style, much like Mack’s would define the Browns for years to come. Behind any offensive line, Pruitt was determined to get the job done, and his impact was greatly missed when he left for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1982.
3. Marion Motley (1946-1953)
Marion Motley is, truly, one of the pioneers of both his age, and the game of football as a whole. Playing for the Browns from their inception in 1946, until 1953, Motley is one of the greatest players the Browns have ever seen, at more than one position.
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Of course, Motley is known for his time as a running back. As the Browns’ chief runner during his career, Motley rushed for over 4,700 yards, scored 31 touchdowns, and averaged 5.7 yards per attempt.
Oh, and he was also a linebacker during his career. The athleticism, skill, and stamina that it takes to play both fullback and linebacker is incredible. Motley collected two interceptions during his career along with nine forced fumbles. As a dual-position athlete at the sport’s top level, Motley is no-doubt deserving of a spot on the list.
2. Leroy Kelly (1964-1973)
Leroy Kelly is not only one of the most productive running backs in Browns history, but in the history of the league. The sheer statistical measures by which Kelly dominated the league in the 1960s and 70s is truly something to behold.
As both a running back and a receiver, Kelly helped to strengthen the Browns’ offense in more ways than one. As a receiver, Kelly caught 190 passes in his career for a total of 2,281 yards and 13 touchdowns. As a running back, Kelly’s numbers, for their time at least, are eye-popping.
Throughout his ten year career, Kelly rushed for a grand total of 74 touchdowns, 7,274 yards, for an average of 4.2 yards per carry.
1. Jim Brown (1957-1964)
You know it, I know it, every Browns fan worth their salt knows it. Jim Brown is not only the greatest Cleveland Browns running back of all time, but he is likely the greatest running back of all time.
Jim Brown, in every sense of the word, was a monster on the football field. Fondly remembered by many as the greatest football player of all time, Brown’s rushing prowess, to the tune of three MVP awards, led Cleveland to an NFL Championship in 1964.
Coming out of Syracuse, many expected that Brown would be a great pick for anyone looking for a running back in the 1957 NFL Draft. Turns out that even going as high as No. 6 overall, Brown was a steal for the Cleveland Browns.
Outside of his rookie year, Brown failed to rush for 1,000 yards just once (1962) during his eight-year career. During that year, he still rushed for 13 touchdowns and led the Browns to a respectable 7-6-1 record.
All in all, Brown was just bigger, faster, stronger, and more athletic than anyone else playing that game at that time. As perhaps the greatest player of all time, Brown was a thing of beauty on the football field.
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Rushing for a staggering 12,312 yards for his career, Jim Brown now sits tenth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Even though he has not played in over fifty years, Brown still holds a top spot among the league’s greatest runners. The game has changed since then, for sure, but Brown’s greatness cannot be denied.