John Morrow obit

JOHN MORROW Obituary

 He was not on the list.

Age 84, of Sherwood, WI, passed away October 21, 2017. He was born April 27, 1933 in Port Huron MI, son of John and Dorothy (Frack) Morrow. John graduated from Ann Arbor High School. John attended Staunton Military Academy before attending the University of Michigan. John was a talented multi-sport athlete, excelling at football and basketball, playing for U of M Wolverines football teams from 1953 to 1955. He married Gail Lundstrom of Manistique, Michigan in 1956. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 28th round of the 1956 NFL Draft. He played three seasons and appeared in 35 games for the Rams, principally as a center, during the 1956, 1958, and 1959 NFL seasons. John was traded to the Cleveland Browns where he played for seven seasons from 1960 to 1966. He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl in 1961 and 1963 and was the starting center on the 1964 Cleveland Browns team that won the 1964 NFL Championship Game. "Center John Morrow was a superb pass blocker, who could open holes up the middle for the Browns' running game and had the speed to get outside and downfield to help spring Cleveland's backs." –Jim Cnockaert, author of Michigan: Where Have You Gone After football, John had a successful career in the paper industry. He enjoyed golf, sailing, skiing, and was a breeder of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. In retirement, John loved to spend time maintaining the Lundstrom Family "Camp Retreat" in Manistique, Michigan. John was a dedicated husband and loving father. He is survived by his brother Tom of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and daughter Johnna Morrow of Minneapolis, Minnesota. John was preceded in death by his wife Gail on October 9th, 2017, brother Gordon, and sister Ann Woodell. A memorial service for John and Gail will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in John's honor.

Morrow was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 28th round (336th overall pick out of 360) of the 1956 NFL draft. He began the 1956 season as a guard, but eventually became the starting center that year. He started six of the Rams' 12 games, playing under future Hall of Fame head coach Sid Gillman. Morrow got his first start, as a guard, in the Rams' seventh game; playing alongside Dick Daugherty at center. He started the next two games at guard, and then replaced Daugherty at center in the final three games, after Daugherty was moved to linebacker due to injuries on the Rams' defense. Although the 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Morrow only weighed 220 lb (99.8 kg), Gillman placed great value on an offensive lineman's speed and mobility, along with size and "surliness".

Gillman later described Morrow as the Rams' fastest improving player in 1956. In January 1957, Morrow was inducted into the United States Army, and did not play in the NFL that season. He completed his military service in September 1958, and returned to the Rams before the start of the 1958 season. Gillman started Morrow at center for all 12 games that season. Morrow started 10 games in 1959 at center for the Rams, and one at guard. Rams linebacker Les Richter had to play in three games at center for the Rams that year, in part due to Morrow suffering an injury and in part due to the loss of other linemen to injury or suspension. Richter started at center in the 10th and 12th games of the season; with Morrow starting at guard in Game 10 and missing Game 12 with an injury. In March 1960, the Rams traded Morrow to the Cleveland Browns for center Art Hunter, a four-year veteran.

Morrow next played seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 1960 to 1966. He did not miss a game from 1960 through November 6, 1966, starting 90 consecutive games for the Browns. After starting the first eight games of the 1966 season, Morrow suffered a broken leg in the eighth game of the 1966 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which became the last game of his career. Morrow was twice selected to play in the Pro Bowl (1961 and 1963).

Morrow played under future Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown from 1960 to 1962 with the Browns. It is reported that Brown traded for Morrow because of his speed as a lineman and ability to lead sweeps and block for the Browns future Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown. Among his starting offensive linemates in 1960 were multi-time Pro Bowl and first-team All Pro left tackle Dick Schafrath, and future Hall of Fame right guard Gene Hickerson. Early in Morrow's career with the Browns, the offensive line also included two more of the Browns' greatest offensive linemen in team history, Jim Ray Smith and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike McCormack.

Morrow started alongside Schafrath for his entire Browns career, and alongside Hickerson as a starter every year during Morrow's career except 1961 when Hickerson missed the season with an injury, and part of the 1962 season when Hickerson missed more games with injuries. John Wooten filled in for Hickerson in 1961 and part of 1962 at right guard, and then played left guard for the Browns from 1963 to 1968.

In 1963, the Browns compiled a 10–4 record, finishing second in the NFL's East Division. The following season, the Browns were 1964 NFL Champions, defeating the Baltimore Colts in the title game, 27–0. The offensive line that season included Morrow, Hickerson, Schafrath, and Wooten, along with Monte Clark and John Brown at right tackle in 1964 (with Clark starting in the championship game). In 1964, the Browns ranked first in the NFL in average yards per rushing attempt; second in points scored, fewest quarterback sacks allowed and fewest yards lost on sacks; and third in total yards and rushing yards. The Colts' defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed and most sacks, but in the championship game, the Browns' offensive line allowed only one sack, while Jim Brown had 114 rushing yards and the Browns had 339 total yards compared to 181 yards for the Colts.