American · Homestead, USA · Born 16 March 1956Ozzie Newsome was a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end for the Cleveland Browns who became one of the most productive receiving tight ends of his era and later a groundbreaking NFL general manager.
Ozzie Newsome Jr. was born on 16 March 1956 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and played college football at Alabama, earning consensus All-American honours in 1977. The Cleveland Browns selected Newsome in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 1978 NFL Draft, and he developed into one of the finest receiving tight ends in NFL history, catching 662 passes for 7,980 yards across a 13-season career, all spent with the Browns. Newsome earned three Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999, becoming, upon retiring, the tight end with the most career receptions in NFL history. Newsome transitioned into front-office roles immediately after retiring, becoming general manager of the Baltimore Ravens in 2002 and building two Super Bowl-winning rosters, in 2000 and 2012, becoming the first Black general manager in NFL history and one of the most respected talent evaluators the league has produced.
Hall of Fame tight end for the Cleveland Browns, later NFL's first Black general manager
How They Played
Exceptional route runner with reliable hands, redefined tight end as primary receiving threat
Lasting Impact
First African American general manager to build a Super Bowl-winning team, transformed tight end position from blocking to receiving
Career Honours
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999)
- 3x Pro Bowl
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
| Team | Period | Games | Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 1978–1990 | 662 | #82 |
American Athletes