Massillon in Stark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Football Pioneer Paul E. Brown
Paul E. Brown, born September 7, 1908 in Norwalk, Ohio, and raised in Massillon, is a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame and was one of the greatest coaches in the history of football at all levels. From 1932 until 1940, he led Massillon High School to a record of 80-8-2. He coached Ohio State to the 1942 national collegiate championship, and joined the professional football ranks in 1946 as coach of the new franchise in Cleveland. He coached his namesake Cleveland Browns to seven league championships in 17 seasons.
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In 1968, Paul Brown brought professional football to Cincinnati as founder of the Bengals, and as the team's coach until 1975. Known as pro football's greatest innovator, he invented the "draw play," introduced the use of facemasks on helmets, and was the first coach to call plays from the sidelines. He helped break the color barrier in modern American professional sports, featuring African-American players Marion Motley and Bill Willis on his 1946 Browns team, a year before Jackie Robinson's debut in major league baseball. Brown died in 1991 and is buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Massillon.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Massillon City Schools, Cincinnati Bengals and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 16-76.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1880.
Location. 40° 47.608′ N, 81° 30.043′ W. Marker is in Massillon, Ohio, in Stark County. The marker is located at the main gate to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium at Massillon High School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Paul Brown Drive SE, Massillon OH 44646, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Young People's Christian Association (approx. 1.1 miles away); Lillian Gish (1893-1993) · Dorothy Gish (1898-1968) (approx. 1.1 miles away); The First Savings & Loan Co. (approx. 1.1 miles away); Central Firehouse Fire Alarm Bell (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Little Steel Strike of 1937 (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Falke Block (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ohio Merchants Building (approx. 1.1 miles away); Private William R. Richardson (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Massillon.
Also see . . . Paul E. Brown at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on February 8, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 8, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on February 9, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on February 8, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on February 9, 2015, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.