Jim Brown's No. 32 is one of five jersey numbers retired by the Browns. (pinterest)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Every time a new class of Browns rookies chooses or is assigned its jersey numbers, I think back to the players who made those numbers memorable – for better or for worse.
Players come and go. Numbers are handed down from one generation to the next.
Some of the new Browns have announced their number choices via social media.
Jedrick Wills chose 71 after coach Kevin Stefanski blocked him from accepting Joe Thomas’ invitation to wear 73. Grant Delpit will wear 22, Jacob Phillips 50, Harrison Bryant 88, Donovan Peoples-Jones 11.
When free agent tight end Austin Hooper signed with the Browns, he claimed 81, which he wore for four seasons with Atlanta. That forced Rashard Higgins to change numbers when he returned to the Browns this week. He chose 82. I don’t think he knew Ozzie Newsome made that number famous as the franchise’s greatest tight end.
Every number has a legacy. Here’s a look at my favorite numbers in Browns history.
4 – Phil Dawson, all day.
9 – Kicker Matt Bahr, one of the franchise’s all-time characters.
13 – Yale graduate Frank Ryan, quarterback of the 1964 championship team, would fit in nicely with the current Ivy League group.
14 – Otto Graham. Always and forever.
16 – Josh Cribbs, the best Browns specialist. Ever.
17 – Brian Sipe, from 13th-round draft pick to 1980 NFL MVP. At 70, he still receives snail mail from his adoring fans.
19 – Given to Bernie Kosar by GM Ernie Accorsi in honor of Johnny Unitas. He wore it well.
21 – Eric Metcalf, as good a returner as there ever was.
24 – That’s you, Nick Chubb.
29 – Two of the Browns' best defensive backs, Hanford (Top Dawg) Dixon and Eric (E.T.) Turner.
31 – Frank Minnifield, aka Mighty Minnie.
32 – Jim Brown.
34 – This might be my favorite all-time Browns number because of Greg Pruitt and Kevin Mack.
42 – Google the video of Paul Warfield. There hasn’t been as elegant a receiver in the NFL in 40 years.
44 – Earnest Byner, the first time around.
47 – Lawrence Vickers, the greatest fullback in football history (my hyperbole).
51 – Linebacker Eddie Johnson, the late, great Georgia Assassin, aka Bullet Head.
52 – The honorable common pleas judge and linebacker Dick Ambrose, aka Bam Bam.
54 – “Mad dog in a meat market” Mike Junkin, arguably the biggest draft bust in Browns history.
56 – It first belonged to Dante Lavelli, but I’ll always think of Chip Banks.
57 – Hard to believe that nobody wore it before Clay Matthews in 1978.
60 – Otto Graham’s first number. Then Al (Bubba) Baker.
65 – Chuck Noll, Paul Brown’s original messenger guard.
66 – Gene Hickerson, leading the sweep in front of Jim Brown.
72 – Jerry Sherk, whose Hall of Fame career was cut short by the original staph infection.
73 – Doug Dieken bequeathed it to Joe Thomas.
76 – Why do you think the Browns’ official address is 76 Lou Groza Blvd.?
78 – It will always be “Big Daddy” Carl Hairston to me.
82 – Ozzie Newsome.
86 – Gary Collins, whose three TD catches in the 1964 NFL championship slayed the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.
92 – The MDP, Michael Dean Perry.