Dawgs By Nature
A look at former Cleveland players who passed on last year
The annual NFL draft represents a renewal for the Cleveland Browns. The April timeline brings in springtime in every NFL city. The youth selected demonstrates the ability to reintroduce efforts to make the roster a better environment with younger enthusiasm.
But the warmer days also remind us of the loved ones we have lost in our lifetime, with dedicated days such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day being recognized in late spring and early summer.
RELATED: BEN GAY DIES IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT
Our heroes don’t last forever. Just as our heroes are celebrated in life, here is a snapshot of several former Browns who passed from this earth in 2024.
Age: 44
Passing date: July
Career: Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) 2000, Browns 2001, Indianapolis Colts 2002
Gay was a bouncer when he signed a deal with Edmonton of the CFL. After one season, he signed with the Browns, where he played in all 16 games. In Week 9 he entered the game against the Baltimore Ravens and had 18 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown, his lone NFL score. He played quite a bit in the next two contests before being relegated back to special teams.
He was involved in a car accident in Colorado when he passed.
Age: 78
Passing date: May
Career: Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) 1967-1968, San Francisco 49ers 1969-1972, Buffalo Bills 1973-1975, Browns 1976-1978, Green Bay Packers 1979
Edwards was a lot bigger in his day than just about any football player standing 6’-7”. In the days when very few professional athletes tipped the 300-pound mark, he was just 260 pounds despite playing in the center of the defensive line.
Coming out of high school, Edwards had 26 college offers. In his sophomore year at Wichita State, he was named the Missouri Valley Sophomore Lineman of the Year. Before his junior year, the head coach dismissed Edwards and two other players, but then attempted to rescind the suspensions. This did not sit well with Edwards, who then left school and signed with Edmonton in the CFL and received All-Star votes in both years.
In 1969, he was officially drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round and signed with them for a larger contract after San Fran paid off Edmonton to release Edwards from his deal.
He came to Cleveland and played next to Jerry Sherk and split time with Walter Johnson. Always a right DT, he was moved to left DT in 1977 and started the next 30 games for the Browns.
Edwards had 51 career sacks, including 9.5 in 1973 while in Buffalo.
Age: 99
Passing date: November
Career: Miami (AAFC) 1946, Brooklyn (AAFC) 1947, Browns 1948-1955
A former Navy seaman in World War II, Jones was signed to the newly-formed All-America Football Conference, and was traded from Miami to Brooklyn to Cleveland. With the Browns, he was part...
