Dick Ambrose

Lore & Background

Ambrose played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 12th round (290th overall) of the 1975 NFL draft. He played nine seasons with the Browns and was starting middle/right linebacker during the late 1970s to early 1980s before injuries curtailed his career. He was part of the 1980 team known as the "Kardiac Kids" which won the division title for the first time since 1971 but lost in the divisional playoffs to the Oakland Raiders. His final season (1984) was spent on the injured reserve list. The Plain Dealer ranked him number 94 in its special feature of the Browns' top 100 all-time greats.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled off the Missouri River, biting at the exposed skin of the players on the frozen turf of Arrowhead Stadium. It was late December, a game that mattered more than the standings suggested. On the sideline, Dick Ambrose adjusted his helmet, the leather creaking under his grip. He looked toward the huddle, seeing young rookies shivering with uncertainty. "Eyes up!" Ambrose barked, his voice cutting through the gale. "They think they can just walk right over us? Not on my watch." He stepped onto the field, the number 27 stark against the green grass. The opposing quarterback scanned the secondary, looking for a seam. Ambrose didn't blink. He dropped back, reading the play before it fully developed. As the ball left the quarterback's hand, Ambrose surged forward, his eyes locked on the receiver. The pass was thrown high, but Ambrose leaped, his gloved hands snatching the ball from the air with a thunderous clap. The crowd roared, a sound that swallowed the whistle and the wind alike. In that moment, Dick Ambrose wasn't just a player; he was the heartbeat of Arrowhead, proving that even in the dark times, Chiefs football never truly quit.

Reader's Guide

After retiring from the NFL, Ambrose became an attorney and has been a judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas since 2004. He graduated magna cum laude in 1987 from Cleveland State University College of Law. He was the presiding judge in the trial of Anthony Sowell, the Cleveland serial killer who was found guilty on 82 charges. On August 12, 2011, Ambrose sentenced Sowell to death.

Did You Know?

• Ambrose earned All-ACC first-team honors during his junior and senior seasons at Virginia.
• He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Virginia.
• He was popularly known as "Bam Bam" for his hard-nosed tackling and physical skills.
• Ambrose began his legal studies while still playing football for the Cleveland Browns.