Ray Terrell

Ray Terrell
A headshot of Ray Terrell from a 1946 Cleveland Browns game program
Terrell in 1946
Personal information
Born:(1919-06-29)June 29, 1919
Water Valley, Mississippi, U.S.
Died:February 11, 1997(1997-02-11) (aged 77)
Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Water Valley (MS)
College:Ole Miss
Position:Halfback, defensive back
Undrafted:1946
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games:23
Rushing yards:165
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Raymond Willard Terrell (June 29, 1919 – February 11, 1997) was a professional American football halfback and defensive back who played two seasons for the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Colts in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).

Terrell attended the University of Mississippi, where he played as a halfback on its football team. He joined the U.S. military in 1942 during World War II, and upon his discharge was signed by the Browns, then a team under formation in the new AAFC. Terrell returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown in the Browns' first game, a team record that stood for 14 years. The Browns went on to win the first AAFC championship, but Terrell was sent to the Colts after the season as part of a league-led effort to distribute talent more evenly among its teams. He was released by the Colts midway through the 1947 season, however, and returned to the Browns. The team proceeded to win a second AAFC championship.

College and professional career

Terrell was born in Mississippi and attended the University of Mississippi, where he played as a halfback on the football team.[1] He entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II and played football for a team at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where he was stationed.[2] He moved to the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and played for another team at Camp Lejune in North Carolina.[3]

Terrell was signed by the Cleveland Browns of the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946.[1] He played on offense and defense for the Browns, and in the team's first game against the Miami Seahawks he returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown, a team record that stood for 14 years.[4] The Browns won the AAFC's first championship game at the end of the season.[5]

Terrell was one of several Browns players sent to the struggling Baltimore Colts after the season in an attempt to balance talent among the AAFC's teams.[6] He was cut by the Colts in the middle of the 1947 season, however, and tried to regain his position on the Browns' roster after several of the team's halfbacks suffered injuries.[6] "We're going to take a good look at him and if we're convinced that Ray has what he had when he was with us last year we will sign him," Cleveland coach Paul Brown said at the time.[6] Terrell was re-signed by the Browns shortly thereafter and played in several games at the end of the season.[7] The Browns won a second AAFC championship in 1947.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Miller To Serve As Assistant Grid Coach Of Browns". Cleveland Plain Dealer. May 21, 1946. p. 19.
  2. ^ Wheeler, Romney (September 5, 1942). "The Dixie Sports Huddle". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Atlanta. Associated Press. p. 2. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  3. ^ "Power-Laden Dukes Swamp Marines, 40-0". The Pittsburgh Press. Durham, N.C. United Press International. September 19, 1943. p. 14. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  4. ^ Piascik 2007, p. 49.
  5. ^ Piascik 2007, p. 64.
  6. ^ a b c Sauerbrei, Harold (November 20, 1947). "Terrell Bids to Regain Old Berth With Browns". Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 25.
  7. ^ Sauerbrei, Harold (November 23, 1947). "Browns, Yankees May Play In Rain". Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 2B. Ray Terrell will return to the Cleveland line-up again for the first time since he played an outstanding role in the Browns' playoff triumph over New York last season. Recently released by Baltimore, Terrell was signed by the Browns yesterday when Greenwood was placed on the voluntary retired list for the balance of the season.
  8. ^ Piascik 2007, p. 81.

Bibliography

  • Piascik, Andy (2007). The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns. Lanham, MD: Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58979-571-6.