Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Flashback Friday: 4 Cleveland Browns with a brother on Indians

By Elliot Kennel

Cleveland Browns' running back Terry Kirby (L) is chased out of bounds by Baltimore Ravens' cornerback Rod Woodson (R) after a gain of 21 yards in the second quarter on 07 November 1999 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeated the Browns 41-9. AFP PHOTO/David MAXWELL (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns' running back Terry Kirby (L) is chased out of bounds by Baltimore Ravens' cornerback Rod Woodson (R) after a gain of 21 yards in the second quarter on 07 November 1999 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeated the Browns 41-9. AFP PHOTO/David MAXWELL (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 8, 1970: Runningback Ron Johnson #30, of the New York Giants, scores a touchdown during a game on November 8, 1970 against the Dallas Cowboys at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 8, 1970: Runningback Ron Johnson #30, of the New York Giants, scores a touchdown during a game on November 8, 1970 against the Dallas Cowboys at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

The Johnson Brothers: Alex and Ron

Former Michigan Wolverine Ron Johnson was the first-round draft choice for the Cleveland Browns in 1969, but played only one year before he was traded to the New York Giants by Browns owner Art Modell. The epitome of an owner that was such a genius that he felt comfortable acting as his own general manager, Model traded for a receiver who had ten career catches for the Browns.

Meanwhile, Ron Johnson thrived in New York,  where he went to two Pro Bowls, became First-Team All-Pro, and became the first Giant to ever rush for 1000 yards.  He was injured in 1971 but came back in 1972 to break his own Giants rushing record with 1,182 yards and 1633 total yards from scrimmage. The Browns also gifted the Giants with star defensive tackle Jim Kanicki, who the Plain Dealer voted one of the Top 100 Cleveland Browns of all time.

What a thrill it was to see Modell’s guy catch ten passes before retiring! The player’s name shall not be mentioned, because it was not his fault that Modell over-valued his services.  Suffice it to say it was the most one-sided deal in Cleveland Browns history.

Ron’s older brother Alex won a batting title with the California Angels in 1970, where he was also an All-Star, and Alex also played for the Indians in 1972.  However, he was equally famous for feuding with management and had a reputation for not always hustling, which contributed to frequently being traded.  But the guy could definitely hit, having three straight seasons at .312 or higher.

Next Hint:

Which Browns quarterback had a brother who was a slugging first baseman?

Home/Browns All-Time Lists