The NFL is celebrating its 100th season with a series of events and rankings as part of the NFL100 program. The latest effort ranks the “Greatest Game Changers” of the 100-year history of the league.
At the top of the list is the man responsible for the existence of two franchises and the name of one of those: Paul Brown.
The founder and first coach of the Cleveland Browns, still named after the legendary Hall of Famer, came in No. 1 on the list. He edged out longtime commissioner Pete Rozelle and Oakland Raiders founder and innovator Al Davis.
Brown found immediate success in the NFL after merging in his Cleveland team from the AAFC. They played for championships in eight of the first nine seasons, winning three times.
After Brown was fired by new owner Art Modell, the influential coach became the owner and coach of the startup Cincinnati Bengals in 1968.
