Otto at 100

With Germany’s surrender in May of 1945 and his release from military duties, Graham began his professional athletics career in the subsequent months by playing for the Rochester Royals, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball League. Graham led the Royals to a clean sweep NBL championship in March of 1946. Later that year he was the first player signed to the newly formed Cleveland Browns of the All-American Football Conference (later part of the NFL). Graham played 10 seasons with the Browns, each culminating in national championship appearances — of which the Browns won seven.  

Graham set records and earned distinctions year after year. His NFL record for yards per pass attempt (8.63) still holds, and he was enshrined in the National Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1965. The Browns eventually retired his jersey number — though it was 14, not the 60 he wore for most of his professional career. (The NFL later set aside jersey numbers 50 to 79 for offensive linemen so referees could identify ineligible receivers.)  

“Automatic Otto” won a reputation for toughness. He never missed a game in his career, and during a 1953 match against the San Francisco 49ers, he received a vicious face laceration that required 15 stitches. Graham finished that game, completing nine out of ten passes, and came to the next game wearing the first modern-style facemask in football history.