Frank Ryan, the Former Cleveland Browns Quarterback, Passes Away at 87
Frank Ryan, the former Cleveland Browns quarterback known for his skills on the field and intellect off of it, passed away on New Year’s Day at the age of 87. He had been battling Alzheimer’s disease and died in a nursing home in Waterford, Connecticut. Ryan’s son, Frank Ryan Jr., confirmed the news to Cleveland.com.
Ryan holds a significant place in Browns history as the last quarterback to lead the franchise to an NFL title in 1964. Just six months after winning the championship, he earned his doctorate in mathematics from Rice University in Houston. The NFL championship victory would be Cleveland’s last major title until the Cavaliers won the NBA Finals in 2016.
Throughout his life, Frank Ryan received countless autograph requests from fans across the country. He cherished his fans and made sure to fulfill every autograph request until he was physically unable to do so. Ryan had a large and loving family who were by his side until the end.
During his career, Ryan spent seven of his 13 NFL seasons with the Browns. He started 76 games, threw for 13,361 yards, and recorded 134 touchdown passes. He had an impressive record of 52-22-2 as the Browns’ starting quarterback and was selected for three Pro Bowls.
One of Ryan’s most memorable moments came in the 1964 NFL championship game when he led the Browns to a surprising victory over the Baltimore Colts. He threw three touchdown passes to wide receiver Gary Collins in a 27-0 win.
In addition to his football career, Ryan was a professor of mathematics during the NFL offseason. He later taught at Yale and Rice University. After retiring from football in 1970, Ryan worked for the U.S. House of Representatives for seven years and played a key role in developing the first computer voting system used by Congress. He also served as Yale’s athletic director for 10 years.
Ryan was aware of the dangers of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from playing football. He donated his brain to the Boston University CTE Center to contribute to research on the long-term effects of head injuries in the sport.
Frank Ryan’s legacy extends beyond his achievements on the football field. He was a brilliant mathematician, dedicated educator, and public servant. His contributions to the game and society will be remembered for years to come.
