Browns to unveil Otto Graham statue on Sept. 7

The Cleveland Browns will unveil a statue of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham on September 7.

The unveiling will take place as part of the 2019 Browns Alumni Weekend and Browns Fantennial Weekend, a three-day celebration of the NFL’s 100th season, according to clevelandbrowns.com.

The statue unveiling will be on the southwest side of FirstEnergy Stadium at 1:30 p.m. The event will include a ceremony honoring Graham’s career and life, and is expected to be attended by team executives, alumni and personnel, along with 39 members of Graham’s family, including his 95-year old wife, Beverly.

The statue is another way for the Browns to recognize major team contributors, team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said in a prepared statement via clevelandbrowns.com:

“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. This year’s Alumni Weekend and Fantennial 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.”

Fans are invited to the statue unveiling, which will include Dawg Pound Drive activities from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. According to the Browns, activities will include an autograph session with select Browns Legends and Browns Alumni from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and a Locker Room Sale (cash only) benefitting the “Get 2 School, Stay in the Game!” Network, with items available directly from the team’s facility and past Browns players.

Tickets are not required for the statue unveiling ceremony or other elements of Dawg Pound Drive.

More than 50 Browns Alumni, including more than 20 members of the Browns Legends program, are expected to participate in the various activities throughout the weekend, according to the Browns.

Graham was the first player signed by head coach Paul Brown as he began assembling his team for the new All-America Football Conference. During his 10-year career with the Browns, which started on September 6, 1946, when he threw his first career touchdown pass in a 44-0 win against the Miami Seahawks, Graham would lead the Browns to 10 league title games and seven championships.

Graham was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, one of 16 Browns currently in the hall. He joins running back Jim Brown as team legends to be honored with a statue at FirstEnergy Stadium.