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ALSO SEE Groza by the numbers Lou Groza dies at 76 |
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 Dec. 24, 1950: Groza kicks Browns to NFL title By Larry Schwartz Special to ESPN.com Dec. 24, 1950: Lou "The Toe" Groza had a big hand -- to say nothing of a big foot -- in the Cleveland Browns winning all four championships in the All-American Football Conference. But it appears the chances of Groza and the Browns winning the title in their first year in the NFL appear dim as they trail the Los Angeles Rams by eight points going into the fourth quarter in their championship game. The Browns close the gap to 28-27 when Otto Graham throws his fourth touchdown pass of the game. Then in the final minutes Graham moves the ball downfield, putting Groza, who led the NFL in field goals and field-goal percentage during the regular season, in position to try the game-winning field goal from 16 yards out. In the second quarter, holder Tom James had been unable to handle a low snap from center after Cleveland's second touchdown, costing the Browns a conversion try and an important point. This time there's no problem. Groza kicks the field goal with 20 seconds left, giving the Browns a 30-28 victory and the NFL championship.
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