Drafted in the second round (23rd overall) of the 1959 NFL Draft from Ohio State—where he served as captain of a national championship team—Dick Schafrath entered the professional arena in Cleveland as a formidable force. Throughout a 13-year career exclusively with the Browns, "The Mule" upheld the left tackle position with exceptional leverage and superior mobility, facilitating one of the most formidable rushing eras in football history.

Schafrath demonstrated exceptional physical endurance complemented by meticulous technical skill during offensive engagements. Upon transitioning to the position of left tackle in his second season, he distinguished himself by effectively sealing off defensive ends and engaging linebackers during perimeter sweeps. His capacity to propel defenders away from the ball facilitated expansive and reliable running lanes for Cleveland's renowned backfield, while his proficient footwork secured the blindside protection for quarterbacks Frank Ryan and Bill Nelsen.

Schafrath assumed the role of primary starter in 1960 and swiftly established himself as one of the league's premier offensive linemen. His period of peak performance extended throughout the 1960s, during which he received four First-Team All-Pro honors (1963–1965, 1969) and was selected for seven Pro Bowls. In 1963, he was honored by his teammates with the title of Cleveland Browns' Most Valuable Player—a distinguished accolade rarely awarded to an offensive lineman.

His presence on the left side was crucial to Cleveland's historic rushing game; during his tenure, Browns running backs secured eight NFL rushing titles, with Schafrath protecting three future Hall of Famers: Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. The apex of his athletic career occurred in 1964, when he anchored the offensive line during Cleveland's 27–0 victory over the Baltimore Colts to claim the 1964 NFL Championship.

Schafrath continued to serve as a dependable starter throughout the 1971 season, retiring with the team that initially drafted him after participating in 176 regular-season games for Cleveland. Subsequent to his athletic career, he embarked on a distinguished public service trajectory, serving four terms as an Ohio State Senator and subsequently obtaining his bachelor's degree at the age of 69. In 2003, the franchise formally acknowledged his enduring contribution to the team's heritage by inducting him into the Cleveland Browns Legends.