Lou Groza

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Groza grew up in an athletic family in Martins Ferry, Ohio. He enrolled at The Ohio State University on a scholarship in 1942, but after just one year in college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to serve in World War II. Groza deployed as an army surgical technician in the Pacific theater, where he stayed until returning in 1946 to play for the Browns. Helped by Groza's kicking and play at offensive tackle, the Browns won the AAFC championship every year between 1946 and 1949. Cleveland won the NFL championship in its first year in the league on a last-minute field goal by Groza. Groza led the NFL in field goals made in 1950, 1952, and 1953. The Associated Press named him the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1954, when the Browns won another championship. The team repeated as NFL champions in 1955. Groza retired briefly after the 1959 season due to a back injury, but returned in 1961. He was part of a 1964 team that won another NFL championship. Groza retired for good after the 1967 season.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Groza's career occurred during the Browns' first NFL championship game against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. With the score tied and time winding down, quarterback Otto Graham drove the offense to the nine-yard line. Groza stepped up for a 16-yard field goal attempt that would decide the title. The kick sailed through the uprights with 28 seconds remaining, securing a 30–28 victory. It was the biggest kick of his career, though he later admitted, "I never thought I would miss." This moment capped a season where Groza broke a 24-year-old NFL record by making his 13th field goal and even scored his only professional touchdown on a reception from Graham. Throughout his tenure, he played through injuries, including cracked ribs in the 1952 championship loss to Detroit, yet remained a constant force. In 1954, Sporting News named him the league's Most Valuable Player as the Browns won another title, and the team repeated as champions in 1955.

Reader's Guide

Lou Groza played 21 seasons for the Cleveland Browns, from 1946 through 1967, with a brief retirement after the 1959 season and a return in 1961. He did not play in 1968, 1969, or 1970. He scored the only touchdown of his career on a reception from Otto Graham. He retired permanently after the 1967 season.

Did You Know?

• Groza scored the only touchdown of his career on a reception from Otto Graham.
• He kicked a 52-yard field goal in the 1951 championship game, though it was not a record that stood for 42 years; the NFL championship game record was broken earlier, such as by Tom Dempsey in 1970.
• Groza was nicknamed "the Toe" by a sportswriter for his kicking abilities.
• He kicked a 53-yard field goal in 1948 that was then the longest kick in AAFC history, but not in all of pro football; the pro football record at the time was a 54-yard kick by Glenn Presnell in 1934.

Early Life and Athletic Foundations

Louis Roy Groza was born on January 25, 1924, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, just across the river from Wheeling, West Virginia. His parents, Mary (Hungarian) and John (Romanian), owned Groza's Tavern. Lou was the smallest of four boys but became a multi-sport star at Martins Ferry High School, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1941, he captained the Purple Riders to the state basketball championship and also served as captain of the baseball team. He learned placekicking from his older brother Frank, practicing by kicking footballs over telephone wires during street games. This skill set him apart early on.

Military Service and Transition to Pro Football

Groza enrolled at The Ohio State University in 1942 but enlisted in the U.S. Army after one year as World War II intensified. He trained in Abilene, Texas, then moved to Fort Sam Houston before deploying with the 96th Infantry Division to the Pacific theater in 1945. Serving as a surgical technician near Leyte and Okinawa, he worked five miles from front lines tending to wounded soldiers, witnessing severe injuries that hardened his resolve. During this time, coach Paul Brown sent him footballs and a contract for the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Groza signed in May 1945, agreeing to join the Cleveland Browns after the war. He received a $500 monthly stipend until his discharge in 1946.

Professional Dominance and Dual-Role Legacy

Upon returning from the war, Groza joined teammates Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Dante Lavelli, and Mac Speedie. Though initially a kicker, he became an offensive tackle starting in 1948 while maintaining elite kicking accuracy. He led the Browns to four AAFC championships (1946–1949) and four NFL titles (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964). A sportswriter dubbed him "the Toe" for his kicking prowess. In 1950, he kicked the winning field goal in the NFL championship against the Rams. He set records for most field goals in 1950, 1952, and 1953. His 53-yard kick in 1948 was a pro football record at the time. Despite playing with cracked ribs in 1952, he continued to dominate until his final retirement after the 1967 season.

Later Years and Enduring Impact

Groza retired for good after the 1967 season following a brief hiatus due to a back injury after 1959. In later life, he ran an insurance business and served as a team ambassador for the Browns. His legacy was solidified with his election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974. In 1992, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission named the Lou Groza Award after him, given annually to the country's best college placekicker. He died on November 29, 2000, from a heart attack.