The Browns Hall of Fame quarterback never missed a single game over 10 seasons that saw him lead the Cleveland Browns to 10 consecutive championship games and they won seven of them – four in the All-American Football Conference from 1946-49 and three in the NFL in 1950, 1954 and 1955.
Saturday afternoon 39 members of his family along with a multitude of alumni that included Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Paul Warfield, and fans gathered on the southwest corner of First Energy Stadium for the unveiling of the statue honoring the Browns legend.
“It is exciting to look around right now and see all the Cleveland fans that have come to see it, too. I am just so happy about it and that Otto is remembered,” Beverly Graham, wife of Graham said.
As Welshly Arms ‘Legendary’ played, the tarp was pulled to reveal the 7-foot, 6-inch, 1,000-pound bronze statue of Graham with his right arm cocked back and ready to unload a pass downfield.
“It really is special for all of us, my grandmother included,” Ryan Van Name, grandson of Graham, said. “I just wish my grandpa could be here to see it. I know he’s looking down right now and he’s smiling.”
Van Name was chosen by the family to speak on their behalf at the ceremony Saturday afternoon.
He recalled a moment from his childhood when his grandfather was speaking with Joe Namath and then introduced the Jets Hall of Famer to him, yet he had no idea who Namath was. Van Name later had a similar encounter that involved his grandfather with Joe Montana, but this time Van Name knew exactly who Montana was, and he exclaimed with joy, “That’s my favorite quarterback.”
Van Name also recalled how heartbroken Graham was in 1996 when the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens.
“My grandfather loved this city,” Van Name said. “The first time I ever saw him cry was in ’96 when they moved. It was shocking to see that, and it’s stuck with me.”
Three years later, Graham's beloved Browns returned to the NFL, as an expansion team.
Nicknamed ‘Automatic Otto,’ Graham presided over a decade of dominance with the Browns that saw him amass a 105-17-4 record in the regular season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965 and his No. 14 is just one of five numbers retired by the Browns. Graham is also enshrined in the team's Ring of Honor.
Graham, who threw for 23,484 yards and 174 touchdowns and ran for 44 more touchdowns in 126 career games, died in 2003 at the age of 82.
Beverly Graham shook her fists and smiled in approval as she looked on during the reveal of the statue.
Van Name said she found it difficult to hold back tears.
“It is such an honor,” Mrs. Graham said. “I know it never would have entered Otto’s mind ever that something like this would be done. He is in heaven looking down upon us today, and he is amazed.”
Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam commissioned the statue to be done by nationally renowned artist and Cleveland native David L. Deming, who also created the Jim Brown statue a few hundred yards away as well as the statues of the Indians Hall of Famers that sit outside Progressive Field on East 9th, in February.
“Otto’s career was legendary,” Browns executive vice president JW Johnson said. “We are really excited about having Otto be here forever.”
In the modern age, it’s almost forgotten that it is Graham who was the first great franchise quarterback, and the Browns were the dominant force to be reckoned with in professional football.
“Not many people, I would say 60 or under, especially millennials, know who my grandfather is,” Van Name said, “Because when you played from ’46-’55, there’s not much film out there.”
They’ll know now.
Engraved on the each of the four sides of the marble base of the statue are Graham’s personal biography, professional biography, historic accomplishments and career statistics.
It was almost fitting that the ceremony took place on the eve of the 2019 season opener, which the Browns hope is the beginning of the rebirth of greatness for football in Cleveland by connecting the past to the present.
“We’re happy and want the alumni to be here,” Johnson said. “They’re the guys that paved the way. They’re the ones who won championships, which we’re striving to do now. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.
“They brought so much joy to the city of Cleveland for a long time and we’re ready to bring that joy back.”