Biofile Otto Graham Interview

By Scoop Malinowski

Status: Hall of Fame NFL quarterback for Cleveland Browns.

DOB: September 6, 1921 In: Waukegan, IL

Childhood Sports Heroes: As a child of course there was no TV and so forth. So back in those days you went local and played in the sandlot – played softball, baseball, football, whatever. So I didn’t have any heroes in those days, few people did really. All you knew about was your own city.

Nicknames: Otts, Junior – I was Otto Everett Graham Jr.

Pre-Game Feeling: Well, pre-game, my wife said I’d start getting a little hard to deal with way back around Wednesday or Thursday before a game. But I always felt fine until Saturday night. I’d go to bed feeling fine, sleep good. Then Sunday morning I’d wake up – the butterflies started turning over in my stomach. I could never eat the day of a game. Because the meal they’d give you was meat with no sauce, potato with no butter, salad with no dressing. So dry I couldn’t eat it. I would eat two oranges and a couple of Hershey bars the day of the game. That’s all I had. And after a game… a big chocolate milkshake. Always tasted real good. So I would always go to the bathroom every five seconds before the game. I was always internally nervous. Although I was calm on the exterior, I was nervous, no question about it.

Early Football Memory: I feel I was very lucky to play professional football for Paul Brown. Lucky to go to Northwestern – it was a very fine school. But my smartest choice ever – I didn’t know at the time – was to play for Paul Brown. Because, in my humble opinion, he was as good a football coach – not that he knew more football – he was a great organizer. He brought many new innovations to pro football that weren’t there before… play books stay in the hotel the night before the game. He revolutionized pro football. No question. I’m just lucky to have played for him.

Greatest Sports Moment: Winning the NFL Championship in 1950, our first year in the League, after playing four years in the All American Conference. The press, the fans, the owners of the NFL, made comments – not being able to compete in ‘our’ League. So we joined the League in 1950 and defeated the Eagles like 56-10 and then went on and won the championship against the Rams. And so winning that championship the first year in the NFL was mighty pleasing to all of us.

Most Painful Moment: Oh, I would say losing some games every so often when you know you should have won and you made a mistake or something like that. And I can think of three or four like that, that happened. Although we did’t lose too often, that’s one thing about our team. In the ten years I was there, we won 95 and lost 20 and tied four in that time.

Funny Football Memory: Paul Brown. First five years I used to call the plays and then Paul Brown started. Which was good because I thought his guess was as good as mine. But one time he sent a play in and Dub Jones, one of our five wide receivers, had already scored five touchdowns and one more and he ties Ernie Nevers’ record – six touchdowns in one ballgame. And I said, the heck with Paul Brown’s call. Let’s get Dub Jones a touchdown. So I checked off and hit him deep for a touchdown pass. And Paul never said a word. But if he had dropped the ball he would have killed me [laughs]!

Favorite Movies: I like movies. My wife said we were married ten years before I realized there were other movies before cowboy shows.

Musical Tastes: I was born and raised in a musical family. I had no choice so I played the piano, violin, French horn, played in a brass sextet in high school. We won the national championship in Columbus, Ohio. I minored in music in college. One regret I really have – after I got out of college and the service, I stopped playing and I kick myself in the butt for doing that. I enjoyed it. I tell young kids these days, if you can do it, keep it going. I’m a classical man. Do not like rock ‘n roll. Wagner for example. One of the greatest records ever was The Three Tenors.

Favorite TV Shows: Action shows. I don’t go for the love stories, I go for the action [laughs]. ER. Walker Texas Ranger.

Favorite Athletes To Watch: The football game – 49ers beating Packers in the last seconds (Jan 3. 1999 30-27, “The Catch II). That’s probably as exciting a football game that’s ever been played in the history of football. Yankees.

Toughest Competitors: Whoever had a hold of me when I got the ball to try to throw a pass. That’s the toughest, whoever he was [laughs]. No, there’s all kinds, no particular one guy.

First Job: Help my parents put the garbage out, mow the lawn. That kind of stuff. I learned very quickly you have to work around the house or else you don’t eat [laughs].

Favorite Meal: Don’t have just one favorite, I eat a lot of stuff.

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate.

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Well, I still eat Wheaties. My kids ate them too. Then when I got my picture on the box of Wheaties and it started to be free, then they stopped eating them, I could have shot them [laughs]. But that’s the way it goes.

Childhood Ambition: I never had any. Never even thought of it. Never even dreamed I’d be doing what I’ve done. Just enjoyed life, that’s all.

Most Treasured Possession: The Hall of Fame ring. That’s quite an honor. And the Championship rings – the ten seasons we were there, we won seven. They’re all important. But thank God I played for Paul Brown. Because he’s the guy that gets all the credit.

People Qualities Most Admired: I like people who are down to earth. Don’t get impressed by things they’ve done. People that are honest, loyal and are straight-forward. Tell you exactly how they feel so there’s no guesswork. And people who always try their best. I try to tell the kids, Give 100% and that’s all everybody counts.