Paul Brown and The Battle of I-71: Cleveland v. Cincinnati

Sam Whyce Video

As Sam Whyce, coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 1984-91, makes clear in the video above, a healthy rivalry exists between fans in the Queen City and folks from Cleveland up I-71. A lot of that has to do with Paul Brown - a legend to football fans nationally ... but especially here in Ohio.

Brown coached Massillon Washington (Stark County) to high school state titles before taking over as the head football coach at The Ohio State University and guiding the Buckeyes to their first national title in 1942 (MassillonProud). His success at the amateur levels made him a hot coaching prospect in the professional ranks, so he was hired away from Ohio State by new Browns owner Arthur McBride in 1946. His success continued at the professional level as he guided the Brown and Orange to seven titles (4 AAFC titles: 1946-49 and three NFL titles: 1950, 1954-55) during his time in Cleveland (Pro Football Hall of Fame biography).

That success and time in Cleveland made him a legend ... and that was too much for new Browns owner Art Modell to handle. Egos clashed, so Modell fired Brown - the team's namesake - in 1963. (The NFL Network labeled it the eighth biggest feud in NFL History. Video here.)

After a short lay-off, Brown returned to professional football with the expansion Cincinnati Bengals in 1968 and stayed with the team for eight seasons - including three playoff berths. Being in the same division, the Browns and Bengals met twice a year ... only adding fuel to the fires.

Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati is named after Paul E. Brown. The Browns kept their name ... so both Ohio teams trace their lineage back to Paul Brown. Additionally, Massillon High School's luxurious stadium is named Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.