The 1962 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 13th season with the National Football League. It was the last with Paul Brown as head coach, as Art Modell fired him on January 9, 1963. One week later, Blanton Collier was named the second head coach of the Browns.

Exhibition schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Sources 1 August 11 at Detroit Lions L 14–17 0–1 34,241 2 August 18 Pittsburgh Steelers W 33–10 1–0 Cleveland Stadium 77,683 3 August 25 vs. San Francisco 49ers W 34–27 2–1 Multnomah Stadium (Portland, OR) 27,161 4 September 1 at Los Angeles Rams W 26–24 3–1 43,118 5 September 7 at Chicago Bears W 28–24 4–1 57,878

There was a doubleheader on August 18, 1962, Cowboys vs Lions and Steelers vs Browns.

Schedule Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources 1 September 16 New York Giants W 17–7 1–0 Cleveland Stadium 81,115 Recap 2 September 23 Washington Redskins L 16–17 1–1 Cleveland Stadium 57,491 Recap 3 September 30 at Philadelphia Eagles L 7–35 1–2 Franklin Field 60,671 Recap 4 October 7 Dallas Cowboys W 19–10 2–2 Cleveland Stadium 44,040 Recap 5 October 14 Baltimore Colts L 14–36 2–3 Cleveland Stadium 80,132 Recap 6 October 21 at St. Louis Cardinals W 34–7 3–3 Busch Stadium 23,256 Recap 7 October 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 41–14 4–3 Pitt Stadium 35,417 Recap 8 November 4 Philadelphia Eagles T 14–14 4–3–1 Cleveland Stadium 63,848 Recap 9 November 11 at Washington Redskins L 9–17 4–4–1 D.C. Stadium 48,169 Recap 10 November 18 St. Louis Cardinals W 38–14 5–4–1 Cleveland Stadium 41,815 Recap 11 November 25 Pittsburgh Steelers W 35–14 6–4–1 Cleveland Stadium 53,601 Recap 12 December 2 at Dallas Cowboys L 21–45 6–5–1 Cotton Bowl 24,226 Recap 13 December 9 at New York Giants L 13–17 6–6–1 Yankee Stadium 62,794 Recap 14 December 15 at San Francisco 49ers W 13–10 7–6–1 Kezar Stadium 35,274 Recap Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Week 1 The Browns gave a record opening-day crowd of 81,115 at Cleveland Stadium something to remember in a 17–7 victory over the Giants. The game's most memorable play is a flea-flicker that set up a 29-yard Lou Groza field goal. Quarterback Jim Ninowski hands the ball to Jim Brown, who hands to receiver Ray Renfro, who hands the ball back to Ninowski, who completes a 53-yard pass to Rich Kreitling.

Week 2 Bobby Mitchell, traded by coach Paul Brown to Washington during the offseason, haunts his old team by scoring the winning touchdown in a 17–16 Redskins victory at Cleveland. With the Browns leading 16–10 late in the fourth quarter and trying to run out the clock, Jim Brown fumbles, giving the Redskins possession near midfield. Norm Snead throws a short pass to Mitchell, who races for the go-ahead touchdown. The Browns get two shots at a final-minute game-winning field goal, but both of Lou Groza's attempts are blocked.

Week 5 The Browns are beaten decisively by the Colts 36–14 at Cleveland Stadium. The Browns do not get a first down until the Colts had a 23–0 lead. Jim Brown had his worst rushing total ever: 11 yards on 14 attempts, with seven of those yards coming on one carry.

Week 8 In one of the uglier games played at Cleveland Stadium, the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles combine for eight turnovers and five missed field goals in a 14–14 tie. Jim Brown finishes with 69 rushing yards on 20 carries, his seventh consecutive game with fewer than 100 yards.

Week 11 Jim Brown, ending the longest 100-yard drought of his career at nine games, pounds for 110 in a 35–14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Stadium. Frank Ryan complements Brown by throwing for 284 yards and three touchdowns.

Week 14 In what would be the final game of Paul Brown's Cleveland coaching career, the Browns beat the San Francisco 49ers, 13–10 at Kezar Stadium. The Browns avoid their second losing season but cannot save their coach's job. Needing 139 yards for another 1,000-yard campaign, Jim Brown falls just short, ending the year at 996. Although Brown fails to win a rushing title for the first time in his career, he does lead the team in receiving for the first time, catching 47 passes for 517 yards and five touchdowns.

Standings

Personnel

Roster 1962 Cleveland Browns roster Quarterbacks 16 John Furman 13 Frank Ryan

Running backs 32 Jim Brown 49 Tommy Wilson 36 Charley Scales 48 Ernie Green

Wide receivers 86 Gary Collins P 42 Bobby Crespino 88 Rich Kreitling 26 Ray Renfro

Tight ends 83 Johnny Brewer 81 Leon Clarke Offensive linemen 70 John Brown T 66 Gene Hickerson G 74 Mike McCormack T 56 John Morrow C 53 Frank Morze C 77 Dick Schafrath T 64 Jim Ray Smith G 60 John Wooten G

Defensive linemen

79 Bob Gain DT 80 Bill Glass DE 82 Jim Houston DE 78 Frank Parker DT 72 Floyd Peters DT 84 Paul Wiggin DE Linebackers 50 Vince Costello MLB 35 Galen Fiss OLB 52 Mike Lucci OLB 54 Sam Tidmore MLB

Defensive backs 20 Ross Fichtner FS 46 Don Fleming SS 30 Bernie Parrish CB 40 Jim Shorter CB 44 Jim Shofner CB

Special teams 76 Lou Groza K Reserve list 15 Jim Ninowski QB (IR) 45 Ernie Davis RB (NF-Ill.) 24 Bobby Franklin S (IR) -- Chuck Hinton DT (IR) -- Stan Sczurek LB (IR)

rookies in italics

Staff 1962 Cleveland Browns staff Front office Owner/CEO - Art Modell Coaches Head coach – Paul Brown

Offensive coaches Running Backs - Blanton Collier Offensive line – Fritz Heisler Offensive backfield and ends – Paul Bixler  Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Howard Brinker Defensive line – Dick Evans Linebackers – Ed Ulinski

Strength & Conditioning Athletic Trainer - Leo Murphy Equipment Manager - Morris Kono

References

External links 1962 Cleveland Browns season at Profootballreference.com 1962 Cleveland Browns season statistics at jt-sw.com at DatabaseFootball.com