"There's no telling how much yardage I might have made if I ran as much as some backs do now," he once said.In November 2019, Motley was selected as one of the twelve running backs on the Brown, however, rejected his overtures, saying Motley should instead look for work at a steel mill – the very career football was his ticket out of.In 1968, Motley became the second black player voted into the Most of Motley's runs were trap plays up the middle, but he had the speed to run outside.
A versatile player who possessed both quickness and size, Motley was a force on both offense and defen… Weighted Career AV (100-95-...): 0 (15081st overall since 1960) High School: McKinley Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1968
Paul coached football at neighboring Massillon High School. Paul Brown, however, thought otherwise.After ending his playing career for good, Motley asked Brown about a coaching job with the team.
In his nine professional seasons, he amassed 4,720 yards on 828 carries for an amazing 5.7 yards-per-carry average. When he retired Marion held a host of Browns' club records. During his tenure, the Browns finished in the top four in scoring offense in 10 of 11 seasons, and led the league in offensive yardage three times. Motley, with his powerful running on Cleveland's famed trap and draw series, made the Browns' ground game go, but he is also credited with vital contributions to the Cleveland passing attack, because his blocking for quarterback Otto Graham was exceptional.At 6-1 and 232 pounds, Motley was an imposing figure.
In addition to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1968, Motley was named in 1994 to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. In addition to be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1968, Motley was named in 1994 to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Hall of Fame Professional Football Player.
He attempted a comeback in 1955 as a linebacker for the After the war, Motley went back to Canton and began working at a steel mill, planning to return to Reno in 1946 to finish his degree.Both Motley and Willis made the team and became two of the first African-Americans to play professional football in the modern era.Motley was signed to a contract worth $4,500 a year ($58,999 in 2019 dollars).Like other black players in the 1940s and 1950s, Motley faced racist attitudes both on and off the field.Attitudes toward race in America began to change after the war, which had caused social and political upheaval and prompted people to think about the future with more ambition and confidence.Aided by Motley's swiftness and size, the Browns won the Motley's knees continued to bother him in 1952.
Browns’ coach Paul Brown was already familiar with Motley, having coached the big fullback at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station during World War II.He also knew Motley from his high school playing days in Canton, Ohio. E | Washington Redskins He is featured prominently in Ohio's Autumn Legends, Volume I.
When he retired Marion held a host of Browns' club records. He was a leading pass-blocker and rusher in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and ended his career with an average of 5.7 yards per carry, a record for running backs that still stands. While he showed occasional signs of his old form that season, it became clear to the Browns' coaching staff that he was no longer in his prime.Motley thought he could come back and play a ninth season in 1954, and showed up to training camp to prove it. When he retired Marion held a host of Browns' club records.
And once I ran over a back twice, I didn’t have to run over him a third time. HB/QB | Chicago Cardinals HB/E | Los Angeles Rams Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame fullback Marion Motley (76) poses for a photo in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1947.
HB | Boston Braves Among the earliest of African-Americans to shatter the racial barrier in professional football, he was regarded by many as being one of the greatest fullbacks in the history of the sport. C/LB | Detroit Lions Marion Motley (June 5, 1920 – June 27, 1999) was an American professional football player who was a fullback and linebacker for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL).
Marion was the AAFC's all-time rushing leader and also led the NFL in ground gaining in his initial season in the league in 1950. Slowed by knee injuries, Motley left the Browns after the 1953 season. Marion Motley, (born June 5, 1920, Leesburg, Georgia, U.S.—died June 27, 1999, Cleveland, Ohio), African American gridiron football player who helped desegregate professional football in the 1940s during a career that earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote Its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere"I was as big as the linemen I ran against, so I didn’t worry about them.