Dante Lavelli

Cleveland Browns end, AAFC and NFL champion, Hall of Famer known as "Gluefingers" and "Mr. Clutch".

Dante Bert Joseph Lavelli (February 23, 1923 – January 20, 2009), nicknamed "Gluefingers", was an American professional football player. An end, he played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1956. Starring alongside quarterback Otto Graham, fullback Marion Motley, kicker Lou Groza and fellow receiver Mac Speedie, Lavelli was an integral part of a Browns team that won seven championships during his 11-season career. Lavelli was known for his sure hands and improvisations on the field. He was also renowned for making catches in critical situations, earning the nickname "Mr. Clutch". Browns head coach Paul Brown once said of him: "Lavelli had one of the strongest pairs of hands I've ever seen, when he went up for a pass with a defender, you could almost always count on him coming back down with the ball."

Quick Facts

Position: End
Born: 23 February 1923
Birthplace: Hudson, Ohio, U.S.
Died: 20 January 2009
Place of death: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
High school: Hudson
College: Ohio State (1942)
Draft year: 1947

Lore & Background

Lavelli grew up in Hudson, Ohio, and played football, baseball and basketball at his local high school. After graduating, he enrolled at Ohio State University, where he played only a handful of games before he was drafted for service in the U.S. Army during World War II. Returning in 1945 after serving in Europe, he joined the Browns in the team's first-ever season in the AAFC. Helped by Lavelli's play, the Browns won each of the AAFC's championships before the league dissolved in 1949 and the team was absorbed by the NFL. Cleveland continued to succeed in the NFL, winning championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955. Lavelli, who helped found the National Football League Players Association toward the end of his career, retired after the 1956 season. After retiring from football, Lavelli held a variety of coaching and scouting jobs and was active in NFL alumni affairs. He also ran a furniture store in Rocky River, Ohio. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975. He died in a Cleveland hospital in 2009.

Reader's Guide

Lavelli was born and grew up in Hudson, Ohio. Both of his parents were Italian immigrants. His father Angelo Lavelli was a blacksmith. As a child, he practiced catching by throwing baseballs against walls and trying to catch them when they bounced back. He liked to have friends throw ping-pong balls at him to see if he could catch them. Lavelli was a standout as a running back at Hudson High School and developed a reliable set of hands. His Hudson High Explorers football team had three undefeated seasons and won three county championships. He also played baseball and basketball in high school. Notre Dame offered Lavelli a scholarship, but after a chance encounter with Eddie Prokop, he enrolled at Ohio State University in 1941 after learning that Paul Brown was appointed the football team's new head coach. The Detroit Tigers recruited him to play second base in the low minor leagues, but he refused, opting to concentrate on football. At Ohio State, Brown switched Lavelli to end. His playing time was limited due to injury. He became a first-string end as a sophomore in 1942, but sat out the first game due to a charley horse. He started in a game against Southern California, but broke a bone in his knee and was sidelined for the rest of the season. The Buckeyes won the national championship that year. After the 1942 season, Lavelli was drafted by the U.S. Army. He was sent with the 28th Infantry Division to fight in the European Theatre, landing on Omaha Beach in 1944. He was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. One in five members of his division was killed. After returning from the war, Lavelli was again offered a chance to play baseball with the Tigers. When Paul Brown offered him a chance to play on a new professional team in the AAFC in 1946, Lavelli jumped at the opportunity. He was given a $500 bonus for signing with the Cleveland Browns. Lavelli attended the Browns' first training camp in 1946 and made the roster. He joined an offense featuring Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Lou Groza and Mac Speedie. Lavelli quickly became Graham's top passing target and led the AAFC in receiving as a rookie with 40 receptions and 843 yards. The Browns won the AAFC championship in 1946, and Lavelli caught the game-winning touchdown in a 14–9 victory over the New York Yankees. The Browns won the AAFC championship again in 1947.