The Browns selected Paul Warfield from Ohio State with the 11th overall pick in the 1964 NFL Draft, and the Warren native didn’t have to travel far to begin his pro journey. Transitioning from a collegiate halfback to a full-time wide receiver under head coach Blanton Collier, Warfield brought an immediate, game-breaking dynamic to Cleveland's offense.

His impact was immediate. As a rookie in 1964, Warfield led the team across every major receiving category, hauling in 52 passes for 920 yards and nine touchdowns. His perimeter speed served as the perfect lethal counterweight to Jim Brown's interior power, propelling the Browns to an NFL Championship victory over Baltimore. After a broken collarbone wiped out virtually his entire 1965 campaign, Warfield returned to form, kicking off a run of explosive, big-play dominance where he routinely stretched defenses over the top.

Between 1968 and 1969, Warfield achieved back-to-back Pro Bowl selections, showcasing his ability to turn any catch into a potential touchdown. He broke the franchise record with 1,067 receiving yards in 1968 and led the NFL with 12 receiving touchdowns. The following year, he recorded 886 yards and scored ten more times. Although he was recognized as one of the league's top deep threats, Cleveland surprised everyone in early 1970 by trading Warfield to the Miami Dolphins, aiming to acquire the third overall draft pick, which they used to select quarterback Mike Phipps.

In Miami, Warfield proved to be the missing championship piece for Don Shula's dynasty, winning two Super Bowls—including the historic 17-0 undefeated 1972 season. After a brief stint in the World Football League with the Memphis Southmen, Warfield returned home to Cleveland in 1976, spending his final two professional seasons with the Browns before retiring after the 1977 campaign.

Across his eight seasons with the Browns (1964–1969, 1976–1977), Warfield caught 271 passes for 5,210 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns, averaging an astonishing 19.2 yards per catch in Cleveland. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team, and honored as an inaugural member of the Browns Ring of Honor in 2010.