Morgan Honors Four Football Legends

By Brian Cox
Black College Wire

Cleveland Browns Len Ford

Morgan State University has honored its legends by retiring four jerseys of football greats in the storied history of Morgan football. The tributes to Willie Lanier, Len Ford, Leroy Kelly and Roosevelt Brown, all NFL Hall of Famers, were made at a luncheon Oct. 25. Lanier, Kelly and Brown attended; Ford's daughter, Deborah, represented Ford.

Brown was an HBCU All-American with Morgan from 1951 to 1952, and he played under legendary coach Eddie Hurt. Brown began a 13-season career with the New York Giants at age 20. He was selected as an All-NFL team member eight times between 1956 and 1963. Brown also played in nine Pro Bowls and was the NFL's lineman of the year in 1956.

Kelly played with the Bears under coach Earl Banks. He was named to the All-NFL team five times and was also selected to play in six Pro Bowls. He played professionally for the Cleveland Browns and took over as running back when the legendary Jim Brown retired as all-time leading rusher in 1965. In 1967, Kelly led the league in rushing yards (1,205), yards per carry (5.1) and touchdowns (11). In 1968, he led the league in rushing yards (1,269) and touchdowns (16). He retired with career totals of 7,724 yards and 74 touchdowns.

The late Ford was a classic two-way player with Coach Hurt in the 1940s. He was with the Dons in the old days of the American Athletic Football Conference. After the AAFC folded, he played with the Cleveland Browns, who soon converted him to a defensive end. Using unique defensive tactics, they fully tapped into his pass-rushing talent.

"The hardest man I ever had to block was Len Ford," Brown said. "He was 6'6" and 280 pounds and I was about 230. I tried everything, even the Morgan angle. He said, 'You may be a Bear, but I need this job.' "

Ford was named All-NFL five times and played in four Pro Bowls. Over his career, he recovered 20 fumbles. Ford died March 14, 1972, at age 46.

Lanier, who is most likely Morgan's most recognizable football player ever, enjoyed a prosperous career in the NFL. After leading Morgan to a perfect 8-0 record during his senior year, he went on to an 11-year career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lanier, who wore number 65 at Morgan, was a big part of the Chiefs' 23-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. He intercepted 27 passes, the most ever of any Chiefs linebacker. As well as being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Lanier was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Brian Cox is a student at Morgan State University. He writes for The Spokesman.