Browns’ Hall of Famer Groza Dead at 76

CLEVELAND â€”  Lou Groza, the Cleveland Browns’ Hall of Fame kicker and lineman affectionately known as “The Toeâ€�, died Wednesday night of an apparent heart attack. He was 76.

Groza, whose No. 76 was retired by the Browns, played 21 seasons in Cleveland from 1946-67 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

After starring at Ohio State, Groza was an All-Pro offensive tackle for the Paul Brown-coached Cleveland teams that dominated the All-American Football Conference in the late 1940s and NFL in the ‘50s.

Groza was the NFL player of the year in 1954. He had 1,349 career points--the most in Browns franchise history.

In 1950, Groza kicked a game-winning, 16-yard field goal with 28 seconds left in the NFL championship game against the Los Angeles Rams, giving the Browns the title in their first season in the league.

Groza played on four NFL championship teams--three in the 1950s and the last in 1964.

Groza remained one of the Browns’ most beloved players long after he retired. He kept his home in suburban Berea and was involved in many of the team’s alumni activities.

Last year, the new Browns honored Groza by renaming the street in front of their Berea training facility Lou Groza Boulevard.

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LOU “THE TOE� GROZA,

1924-2000

Positions: Offensive tackle-kicker

Height: 6-3

Weight: 250

College: Ohio State

AAFC: 1946-49, Cleveland Browns

NFL: 1950-59, ‘61-67, Cleveland Browns

Achievements: All-NFL tackle six seasons; NFL player of year in 1954; played in nine Pro Bowls; scored 1,349 points in 21 seasons; played in four AAFC, nine NFL championship games; enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.