The NFL's top runner in 1968, Leroy Kelly, gets some support from All-Pro Guard Gene Hickerson against Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Wilcox and the San Francisco 49er defense. Kelly had a league-high 1239 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs in 1968. Wicox, an 11-year vet with the 49ers - had 7 Pro Bowls and 2 1st-team All Pro selections.
The NFL's top runner in 1967 - Leroy Kelly of the Cleveland Browns - averaged 5.1 yards a carry on 235 carries picking up 1205 and 11 touchdowns. Here he gives Bear linebacker Doug Buffone the slip.
Congratulations are in order! Browns quarterback Bill Nelsen extends a hand to Leroy Kelly following a touchdown. All in all Kelly scored 90 Regular Season touchdowns and 3 Post Season. That's still #2 on the Browns franchise list.
Cowboy linebacker Lee Roy Jordan moves in to stop Browns runner Leroy Kelly during the 1969 NFL Playoff game between Dallas and Cleveland. Kelly rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown in the 38-14 Browns victory.
Frank Ryan and Leroy Kelly shown on a program from a Cardinals-Browns game in 1968. Fullback Ernie Green can be seen in the right-foreground. The Cardinals won 27-16.
Leroy Kelly and Dave Robinson come face-to-face in 1968 NFL Pro Bowl Game. Both players had great seasons in 1967. Kelly led the league in rushing and Robinson, named lineman of the game by the way, had just won a Super Bowl a week before. Both were All-Pros in 1967 as well.
Browns and Packers. Hall of Fame Defensive End Willie Davis puts the heat on Cleveland Browns quarterback Fran Ryan. Looks like Leroy Kelley, #44 in the background.
Filling in for a player such as the great Jim Brown is no easy task, but Leroy Kelly of Morgan State managed to do a pretty good job. When he left the NFL in 1975 he was the NFL's #5 All Time Leading Rusher with 7274 yards and his 74 touchdowns on the ground were #3.
When the great Jim Brown retired in 1965 Leroy Kelly of Morgan State filled the role as best as anyone could - led the league twice in rushing making 1st Team All Pro team 4 times. Still ranks #2 behind Brown as the Cleveland franchise All Time rusher. Here he gets a block from Milt Morin against Doug Buffone and the Chicago Bears - #85 is Willie Holman from South Carolina.
Browns offense in 1971. Leroy Kelly, the AFC's #4 leading rusher that year, gets behind the blocking of fullback Bo Scott and guard Gene Hickerson. In 1971 Hickerson was a 14-year NFL veteran and didn't retire till 1973.
Gene Hickerson clears the way for Leroy Kelly in 1968. 1968 was Kelly's 3rd straight 1,000-plus yard season. he was the NFL's rushing leader in 1966 and 1967 in both yards and touchdowns.
Big pile-up of Browns and Vikings with Leroy Kelly (#44) & Alan Page (#88) on the top. Browns quarterback Frank Ryan watches from the back and center Fred Hoaglin (#54) is underneath.
From the opening round of the 1968 NFL playoffs - Browns runner Leroy Kelly gives Cowboy cornerback Cornell Green the slip in route to a 35-yard TD. It was Kelly's 2nd score as Cleveland downed Dallas 31-20.
Browns Hall of Fame runner Leroy Kelly gets behind offensive lineman John Demarie after taking a handoff from quarterback Bill Nelsen.
Bears linebacker Doug Buffone (#55) holds on for dear life in an attempt to trip up Browns runner Leroy Kelly (#44). The story goes that Kelly broke free and scored.
Vikings linebacker Roy Winston stops Browns running back Leroy Kelly in the 1969 game. The Vikings in route to a Super Bowl appearance handed Cleveland a 51-3 obliteration.
The Cowboys Chuck Howley (#54) & Leroy Kelly of the Brown during the 1972 NFL Pro Bowl Game - Played in January it featured the league's best players of the 1971 season. For both players it was their 6th and final appearance in a Pro Bowl game.
Another pic from the 1967 Browns 21-10 victory over the Steelers. Marv Woodson along with linebacker Andy Russell take down Browns Great Leroy Kelly
In his 10-year career accounted for over 9500 total yards from scrimmage and 90 touchdowns.
An 8th round draft pick in 1964 from Morgan State by the Cleveland he played 10 seasons for the Browns and finished with 7274 yards and 74 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 190 passes for another 2281 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is still the #2 All-Time Rushing Yards Leader for the Browns.
An 8th round draft pick in 1964 from Morgan State by the Cleveland he played 10 seasons for the Browns and finished with 7274 yards and 74 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 190 passes for another 2281 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is still the #2 All-Time Rushing Yards Leader for the Browns.
10 years in the NFL (1964-1973) he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. He retired as the #5 All-Time leading rusher in 1973.
