Cleveland Browns: 30 greatest players in franchise history
By Dan Justik
. Fullback. (1946-1953). Marion Motley. 9. player. 53
Greatest players in Cleveland Browns history: 9. Marion Motley
Marion Motley played eight seasons for the Browns, beginning in the team’s inaugural season in 1946. Motley was signed in the Browns first training camp after Paul Brown has seen him play at nearby Canton McKinley High School. At six-foot-one and 232 pounds, Motley was the size of most linemen in the era of football that he played in.
When it was all said and done, Motley used his power to become a very efficient runner for the Browns. In his career in Cleveland, Motley rushed for 4,712 yards and 31 touchdowns with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. His 4,712 rushing yards is the sixth highest in franchise history. Motley also helped in the passing game, catching 85 passes for 1,107 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Motley led the AAFC in rushing yards during the 1948 season with 964 yards. He also was the NFL’s rushing champion in 1950 with 810 rushing yards.
Motley’s career was respected by those that covered the NFL, as he was named to the NFL 1940’s All-Decade team. He was also named to NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Motley was a two-time first team All-Pro and played in one Pro Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.