CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns will be honoring former quarterback Otto Graham with a statue at FirstEnergy Stadium.
“As we celebrate the NFL’s 100th season, we are honored to pay tribute to Otto Graham with this timeless sculpture that will properly recognize him not only as one of the Browns’ top players but also as one of pro football’s greatest all-time quarterbacks,” said the Haslams. “This year’s Alumni Weekend will be truly special as we welcome many of our Browns Legends back home in Cleveland, as well as have the opportunity to thank and host many members of Otto Graham’s family.”
The Graham statue will be unveiled during the Browns 2019 Alumni Weekend on Sept. 7.
Browns fans are encouraged to attend the unveiling.
Nationally recognized sculptor David Deming from Lakewood is creating the statue.
Deming created the statue of Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown in 2016.
Otto Graham's grandson, Ryan Vanname, received a sneak peak of the statue in the spring.
“It’s amazing,” Vanname said. “I know my family will definitely be proud of the work (Deming) did on this because right when I walked in it’s like, ‘That’s him. That’s my grandfather.’”
Graham was a member of the first Browns team in 1946 and played all 10 of his professional seasons in Cleveland.
The Browns appeared in 10 consecutive title games with Graham as their quarterback and won four All-America Football Conference championships and three NFL championships.
Graham, who died in 2003, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.
