Description

Pictured in his Cleveland Browns football uniform, Len Ford (1926-1972) played with the Browns (1950-1957) and Green Bay Packers (1958) in the National Football League. Prior to his NFL career, he was a force as a two-way football player at the University of Michigan. After college, he was an offensive and defensive star with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-America Football Conference. As a receiving end, he posted 31 catches for 598 yards and seven touchdowns in 1948, and 36 catches for 577 yards in 1949. The AAFC disbanded in 1949, and Ford was selected in a 1950 AAFC dispersal draft by the Browns. Converted to a full-time defensive end, the 6’4”, 245-lb. Ford’s combination of strength, speed and athleticism helped the Browns become a dominant defense. He won three championships with the team in the 1950s. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, and named to the 1950s NFL All-Decade team. Len Ford was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

Record Contributed By

Cleveland Public Library

Record Harvested From

Ohio Digital Network