Flashback Friday: 4 Cleveland Browns with a brother on Indians

By Elliot Kennel | Feb 28, 2020

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) /

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3 Oct 1999: Terry Kirby #42 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the game against the New England Patriots at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Patriots defeated the Browns 19-7Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

3 Oct 1999: Terry Kirby #42 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball during the game against the New England Patriots at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Patriots defeated the Browns 19-7Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /

No. 4: The Kirby brothers: Terry and Wayne

Terry Kirby was a charter member of the 1999 Cleveland Browns, and was their starting tailback. He had been the change-of-pace back for the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers and had built a certain level of respect around the league. He was a very good pass-catcher out of the backfield and was also a very good kick returner. Kirby also ran the halfback option six times in his career and completed the pass four times with three touchdowns.

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Moving up to become the bell cow for the expansion Browns was a tough job. Still, he compiled 980 yards from scrimmage that year despite an offensive line that was rather cavalier about their blocking assignments. In truth that was a remarkable achievement After his Cleveland experience, he moved on to Oakland and played there for three years. In all, he had ten years in the NFL, which is a very good achievement for a running back.

Older brother Wayne Kirby played five seasons for the Indians, finally sticking with the big club at the age of 29 in 1993. Wayne was a left-handed right fielder, so he tended to platoon with Manny Ramirez.

Ramirez, of course, put up big numbers, but Kirby was the better defensive outfielder, and for a few years that was enough to prevent Ramirez from being the everyday right fielder. Wayne played in the World Series against Atlanta in 1995 and collected a hit in three at-bats.

Honorable Mention hint:

What Brown had a brother who played minor league ball with the Lake Erie Crushers?

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