Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 27

The best No. 27 in Cleveland Browns history is also their interception king

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 27 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to ever wear number 27: Thom Darden.

Thom Darden was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 1972 NFL draft out of the University of Michigan. Darden, a Sandusky, Ohio native, was heavily recruited coming out of high school and decided to play football for that team up north. While playing for TTUN, Darden achieved All-American status as a senior.

Darden was a day one starter for the Browns at strong safety. The Browns also utilized Darden’s top tier athleticism by having him split punt return duties with Bobby Majors. Darden finished his rookie season tied with Ben Davis for the team lead in interceptions with three.

In 1973, Darden went through his worst season as a professional. The down year coincided with a permanent position change to free safety, and he also missed three games due to injury. Darden bounced back in a big way in his third season. He finished third in the NFL in interceptions, snagging eight picks in 1974. The third-year safety also scored his first defensive touchdown in 1974, when he scooped up a fumble recovery and took it 29 yards to paydirt.

Unfortunately, Darden suffered a nasty knee injury prior to the 1975 season. He underwent major knee surgery and was forced to miss the entire season. Going through such a devastating knee injury, it was unknown if he would be able to return to his previous level of play.

However, he didn’t only return to form; he was able to take his play to the next level. He returned from his injury to start in all 14 games and led the team with seven interceptions. Darden was also named second-team All-Pro in his comeback season.

Darden’s best season came in 1978 when he led the entire NFL in both interceptions with 10 and interception return yards with an even 200. Darden was voted to his lone Pro Bowl that season and he was also named a first-team All-Pro. He would go on to earn second-team All-Pro the following year in 1979.

The star defensive back retired a lifelong Cleveland Brown after his ninth professional season following the 1981 campaign. He holds the team career record for interceptions with 45 as well as the team record for interception return yards with 820.

What gets lost in the stats is how great Darden was against the run. His ability to come downhill in run support separated him from most of the free safeties in his era. Darden was also known for laying ferocious hits on wide receivers attempting to go up the seam or over the middle. Number 27 forced many business decisions when he was on the field.

Darden was inducted into the Browns Legends Program in 2016.

Thom Darden is a legendary Browns safety and he is the best player to wear number 27 in team history.