Dante Lavelli - Rest in Peace

Sadly, another member of the great Cleveland Browns teams of the 1940's and 50's passed away. Arguably the greatest receiver to wear a Browns uniform, Dante Lavelli died today at 85 years of age. One of the original Browns, Lavelli played in the championship game each of his first 10 years in pro football winning 7 championships. After the team missed the playoffs in 1956 Lavelli retired.

He only played a few games as a freshman at The Ohio State University since, like most of his generation, his life was interrupted by service in World War II. He joined the Army in 1942 and fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

His passing leaves just three remaining players living from the first Browns team: fullback Gene Fekete, center Mike (Mo) Scarry and linebacker Lou Saban (uncle of Alabama head coach Nick Saban).