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10. Leroy Kelly

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10. Leroy Kelly

We can't even imagine what it must have been like for Leroy Kelly to follow in the footsteps of Jim Brown.  

Realistically, who could?  

Despite this, Kelly, who was taken in the NFL Draft in 1964, was initially Brown's understudy and assumed the starting role when Brown shockingly retired.  Kelly thrived, going to six straight Pro Bowls (1966-71) and winning the Rushing Title twice (1967 & 1968).  Kelly also led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns in three consecutive seasons (1966-68), and while his production was not equal to Brown, whose was?

Kelly rushed for 7,274 Yards and 74 Touchdowns on the ground, which for his era, was very impressive.

He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994, and in 2010, Kelly was part of the first group of Browns to be named to the Ring of Honor.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Running Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 8th Round, 110th Overall In the NFL Draft 12/2/63.
  • Departed:

    Signed with the Chicago Fire of the World Football League after the 1973 Season.

  • Games Played: 136
  • Notable Statistics:

    110 Games Started
    1,727 Rushing Attempts
    7,274 Rushing Yards
    74 Rushing Touchdowns
    190 Receptions
    2,281 Receiving Yards
    13 Receiving Touchdowns
    94 Punt Returns
    990 Punt Return Yards
    3 Punt Return Touchdowns
    76 Kick Returns
    1,784 Kick Return Yards
    3 Pass Completions
    16 Pass Attempts
    93 Passing Yards
    2 Touchdown Passes
    10 Punts
    407 Punting Yards
    102 Approximate Value

    9 Playoff Games
    100 Rushing Attempts
    417 Rushing Yards
    2 Rushing Touchdowns
    18 Receptions
    190 Receiving Yards
    1 Receiving Touchdown
    8 Punt Returns
    110 Punt Return Yards
    2 Kick Returns
    64 Kick Return Yards

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    NFL Champion (1964)
    Bert Bell Award (1968)
    First Team All-Pro (1966, 1967 & 1968)
    Pro Bowl (1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 & 1971)
    Most Rushing Attempts (1967 & 1968)
    Most Rushing Yards (1967 & 1968)
    Most Rushing Touchdowns (1966, 1967 & 1968)
    Most Yards per Rushing Attempt (1966 & 1967)
    Most Rushing yards per Game (1967)
    Most Touchdowns (1966 & 1968)
    Most Points Scored (1968)
    Most Yards From Scrimmage (1967 & 1968)

Last modified on Saturday, 24 September 2022 17:26

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