Lou 'The Toe' Groza Dead at 76

C L E V E L A N D, Nov. 30 -- He was known simply as “The Toe.”

But Lou Groza, who died Wednesday night, was more than just akicker to generations of Cleveland Browns fans. To them, hesymbolized a bygone era when Cleveland dominated pro football, andwhen athletes played for the love of the game.

The Hall of Fame kicker and lineman died of an apparent heartattack at age 76.

Beloved Browns Player

In failing health in recent years with Parkinson’s disease,Groza was brought to Southwest General Health Center in MiddleburgHeights after collapsing following dinner with his wife, Jackie, ata country club.

Groza, one of the most beloved players in Browns history, played21 years in Cleveland from 1946-67. He retired as the franchise’scareer scoring leader — a distinction he still holds.

In his 21 seasons, Groza signed 21 one-year contracts. The lastin 1967 was for $50,000.

Groza was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

Groza was an All-Pro tackle six times, and was selected theNFL’s Player of the Year in 1954. A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Groza finished his career with 1,349 points, with only six of those coming on his only career touchdown — a tackle-eligible play in 1951.

Using a head-on approach to kicking the football that’s rare intoday’s game, Groza, who also wore No. 46, transformed the art of placekicking and helped make kickers more of an offensive weapon.

College football’s top kicker each year is given the Lou GrozaAward.

In 1950, Groza kicked a 16-yard field goal with 28 seconds leftin the NFL championship game to help the Browns beat the LosAngeles Rams and win the title in their first season in the league.

Groza played in 216 games and nine NFL championship games withthe Browns, who won three titles during the 1950s and another in1964.

After playing briefly at Ohio State, Groza was a startingoffensive tackle for the Paul Brown-coached Cleveland teams thatdominated the All-American Football Conference during the late1940s and the NFL in the ’50s.