Marion Motley

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Lore & Background

Marion Motley's path to Cleveland began after he left the University of Nevada in 1943. Following his departure from college, he served honorably in the US Navy from late 1943 until late 1945. Upon returning to Canton, Ohio, he worked at a steel mill briefly before Paul Brown invited him to try out for the newly formed AAFC team, the Cleveland Browns, in 1946. Although Brown initially declined his request, he eventually invited Motley ten days after inviting Bill Willis, with Motley later noting, "I think they felt [Willis] needed a roommate." Upon joining the team, Motley became a cornerstone of the offense alongside quarterback Otto Graham and tackle Lou Groza. He was listed at 238 pounds but utilized his swiftness to dominate defenses. His signature move was the trap play, where he allowed a defensive lineman to cross the line unblocked before opening up space for him to run through. This strategy helped him lead the AAFC in rushing in 1948 as the Browns posted a perfect 15–0 record. Throughout his career, Motley contended with racism both on and off the field; officials often ignored opponents stepping on him or shouting slurs like "alligator bait." Yet, as Motley once said, "They found out that while they were calling us niggers... I was running for touchdowns and Willis was knocking the shit out of them. So they stopped calling us names and started trying to catch up with us." After leaving Cleveland in 1953 due to knee injuries, he refused to let his career end there, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 1954 season and finishing his playing days with the Buffalo Bills in 1955.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Marion Motley's statistical dominance occurred in October 1950 against the Pittsburgh Steelers during his first NFL season. In a single game, Motley rushed for 188 yards on just 11 carries, averaging an incredible 17.1 yards per rush. This performance set an NFL record that stood for more than 52 years until Michael Vick eclipsed it in December 2002 with 173 yards on 10 carries against the Minnesota Vikings. During that same game, Motley also recorded a 69-yard rushing touchdown and a 33-yard receiving touchdown. Despite averaging fewer than 12 carries per game for the season, he still led the entire NFL in rushing with 810 yards as the Browns won their first NFL championship. Earlier in his career at Great Lakes Naval Training Station in 1945, Motley also delivered a legendary performance against Notre Dame, leading his service team to a 39–7 victory in what was the final military game of World War II. Even though he was eligible for discharge before the match, he stayed on to play, utilizing Paul Brown's experimentation with the delayed handoff, later known as the draw play.

Reader's Guide

Marion Motley's professional tenure spanned from his 1946 debut through the 1953 season. He played for the Cleveland Browns in the AAFC from 1946 to 1949, winning four consecutive championships before the league dissolved and the team joined the NFL. In 1950, he led the NFL in rushing as the Browns secured another title. His career statistics reflect his efficiency: a lifetime average of 5.7 yards per carry, which remains an unbroken record for running backs. Motley was also an All-Pro selection in 1948 and 1950. After leaving the Browns due to knee injuries in 1953, he attempted a comeback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955 as a linebacker but was released before the season ended. He faced significant barriers entering coaching, being turned away by the Browns and other teams due to racial discrimination. His contributions were finally recognized when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Fellow Hall of Famer Joe Perry once called him "the greatest all-around football player there ever was." Motley's legacy is defined not only by his on-field excellence but also by his role alongside Bill Willis as one of the first two African-Americans to play professional football in the modern era, breaking the barrier seven months before Jackie Robinson.

Did You Know?

• Motley and Bill Willis broke the professional football color barrier in September 1946, seven months before Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers.
• His career average of 5.7 yards per carry remains a record for running backs that still stands today.
• In October 1950, Motley averaged over 17 yards per rush against the Pittsburgh Steelers (188 yards on 11 carries), setting an NFL single-game rushing average record that still stands today.
• He played in a 39–7 victory over Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago on November 24, 1945, one of the final military football games following the end of World War II.
• Motley continued playing professionally after leaving Cleveland in 1953, appearing for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1954) and Buffalo Bills (1955).