Ernie Kellerman obit

Former Browns Pro Bowler Has Passed Away

 He was not on the list.

The Cleveland Browns fanbase was recently alerted that a former player passed away.

According to Josh Telich on X, Ernie Kellerman passed away at 82 years old.

Telich provided a few highlights from Kellerman’s career, noting that he played for the Browns for six seasons, making one Pro Bowl during his tenure as a defensive back with the team.

Kellerman was inducted into the Greater Sports Cleveland Hall of Fame in 2010 for his efforts with the Browns, someone who didn’t play for the team long, but made a difference to the team and the fanbase.

Before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, Kellerman went to Miami University, racking up three All-American distinctions for his contributions as a quarterback.

While he was a quarterback in college, the Cowboys wanted to convert him to a defensive player, and while he didn’t have much luck with them, the Browns took a chance on him and helped turn him into a successful safety and defensive back for them.

Kellerman spent most of his NFL career with the Browns but did have one year with the Cincinnati Bengals and one year with the Buffalo Bills to round out his tenure.

He might not have played for the Browns for a long time, but Browns fans are mourning this loss nonetheless, supporting one of their own as they have done for years.

This fanbase has gone through a lot, but they are loyal when it comes down to it, supporting the team and its players through thick and thin.

Kellermann played quarterback and defensive back for the St. Peter Chanel High School Firebirds and he was a member of the first graduating class of the school in 1961.

He accepted a scholarship from Miami University, where he was coached by John Pont and Bo Schembechler. He became a three-time All-Mid-American Conference quarterback from 1962 to 1964. He established 14 records and is still Miami University's all-time total offensive leader with 3,978 yards. His biggest game passing came against Houston in the 1962 Tangerine Bowl when he completed 17 of 40 passes for 265 yards.

In his senior year, he set four passing records by completing 88 of 149 passes for 1,260 yards and a completion percentage of .591. His 88-yard touchdown pass enabled Miami to defeat Purdue, 10–7, for the upset of the collegiate football season in 1962.