Football History

May 23, 1967 - The Cincinnati Bengals franchise forms in the AFL. The team was founded by former Cleveland Browns head coach the legendary Paul Brown.

Coach Brown had been the head coach of the Cleveland Browns for nearly two decades prior, after successful stints as the coach at Ohio State, military teams, and Massillon High School. Coach Brown started then looking for a way to place a second football franchise in the state of Ohio, and the emergence of the AFL had given him and the rest of his group the vehicle to do so. Paul Brown was the head coach of this new franchise from it's inception all the way until 1975, when he was still owner of the team but retired from his coaching duties, when the Bengals were in the NFL.

The Bengals franchise has seen some highs and lows. The high points were probably their winning the AFC Championship game twice in the 1980's but lost to a powerful San Francisco 49ers squad twice in both Super Bowls XVI and XXIII. The Pro Football Hall of Fame declares that three former Bengal players, in addition to Coach Paul Brown, are enshrined in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Tackle Anthony Munoz, Ken Riley, along with transplanted wide receivers Charlie Joiner and Terrell Owens.

Born September 7, 1908, in Norwalk, Ohio was Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul Brown.

Brown's journey began in high school, where he won four national championships at Massillon Washington High School, establishing a dominant running attack and pioneering the playbook. He transitioned to college at Ohio State, leading them to their first national championship in 1942. During World War II, he coached the Great Lakes Navy football team, winning two service championships.

The Birth of a Dynasty: The Cleveland Browns (1946-1962)

Brown's impact truly flourished with the Cleveland Browns. He co-founded the team in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), creating a professional platform for his philosophy. He innovated by establishing year-round coaching staffs, scouting nationwide, and implementing complex offensive schemes. The results were astonishing: four unbeaten seasons (1947-1950), three AAFC championships, and three NFL championships (1950, 1954, 1955).

Beyond Victories: Innovation and Legacy (1963-1975)

A power struggle with Browns' owner Art Modell led to Brown's controversial departure in 1963. He quickly resurfaced with the Cincinnati Bengals, another expansion team. While immediate success eluded him, Brown continued to innovate, creating the Bengals' draft strategy and shaping their foundation. He stepped down from coaching in 1970, focusing on the general manager role, guiding the Bengals to two Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s.

This legend was one of the most successful and influential football coaches of all time. He coached for 25 seasons in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL), winning seven league championships.

Brown began his coaching career at Massillon Washington High School in 1932, where he led the team to six state championships and four national championships. He then moved on to Ohio State University, where he coached the Buckeyes to their first national championship in 1942.

In 1946, Brown became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a team he co-founded. The Browns won all four AAFC championships before joining the NFL in 1950. Brown continued his winning ways in the NFL, leading the Browns to three more championships in 1950, 1954, and 1955.

Brown was fired by the Browns in 1963, but he returned to coaching in 1968 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He led the Bengals to their first playoff appearance in 1970 and their first Super Bowl appearance in 1981.

Brown was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He is credited with many innovations in football, including the playbook, the facemask, and the draw play. He is also considered to be one of the first coaches to use modern statistical analysis and film study to improve his team's performance.

A bio on the works of writer Jonathan Knight, author of Paul Brown's Ghost, and numerous other titles.