Milt Plum

Lore & Background

Plum played college football at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) under coach Rip Engle, studying game film with future head coach Joe Paterno. He played quarterback, safety, placekicker, and punter. His best college game came against Syracuse in 1955, where he threw a touchdown pass, intercepted a pass, scored the game-tying touchdown, and kicked the winning extra point. He also had a 72-yard coffin-corner punt in a 1956 victory over Ohio State. Plum was drafted by the Browns in the second round (17th overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft. He split time with Tommy O'Connell in 1957, playing in the second half of the NFL Championship Game loss to the Lions. After O'Connell left, Plum became a consistent part of an offense built around Jim Brown and Bobby Mitchell. His 110.4 passer rating in 1960 was an NFL single-season record at the time, though it was surpassed by Bart Starr in 1966. He was traded to the Lions before the 1962 season in a six-player deal. He lost and regained the starting job in Detroit, with his best year in 1964 (2,241 yards, 18 touchdowns). He backed up Roman Gabriel on the 1968 Rams and Fran Tarkenton and Gary Wood on the 1969 Giants, then retired after 1969 and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across Municipal Stadium, biting through the layers of wool and leather. Plum wiped frost from his visor, eyes scanning the defensive line. The crowd roared, a mix of hope and anxiety in the freezing air. He took the snap, stepped back into the pocket, and saw the receiver break free on the sideline. With a calm exhale, he launched the ball downfield, trusting the legacy of the Browns to land it true.

Reader's Guide

Plum went 7–2–1 in starting season openers as quarterback (.778 winning percentage, second highest since 1950). He holds the NFL record for longest completed pass to himself (20 yards). He played in two Pro Bowls (1960 and 1961) and was named Associated Press second team All-Pro in 1960. He was player of the week in week 7 of the 1964 season.

Did You Know?

• Plum's 110.4 passer rating in 1960 was an NFL single-season record at the time, though it was surpassed by Bart Starr in 1966.
• He holds no official NFL record for a completed pass to himself.
• He was drafted by the Browns in the second round after they used their first-round pick on Jim Brown.