Professional Football Researchers Association Forum
PFRA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the history of professional football. Formed in 1979, PFRA members include many of the game's foremost historians and writers.
Paul Brown allegedly traded Doug Atkins to Chicago after the defensive end loudly belched at a team meal.
I always thought he was cut. I'm pretty sure someone on the "75 seasons" video says this. (or something else I saw over the years) Just consulted wikipedia and confirmed he was traded.
An old saying goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
The only Western Conference team to give the Cleveland Browns very much trouble during the 1950's was the Detroit Lions. The Browns always handled the Chicago Bears without too much trouble in those days. Cleveland traded Atkins to the Bears in 1955. The Chicago Bears, who finished 2nd in the west in 1954 and 1955, were a major rival with Detroit in the Western Conference. Maybe that was part of the reason that Paul Brown traded Doug Atkins to the Bears, besides having other problems with him. The starting defensive ends for Cleveland in 1954 and 1955 were Len Ford and Carlton Massey.
The one big game that the Chicago Bears had with the Detroit Lions during the 1950's was the regular season ending game between the two teams in 1956. Turns out that Doug Atkins was injured and did not play in that game. Taking his place was a 24 year old kid named Ed Meadows.
Paul Brown allegedly traded Doug Atkins to Chicago after the defensive end loudly belched at a team meal.
I always thought he was cut. I'm pretty sure someone on the "75 seasons" video says this. (or something else I saw over the years) Just consulted wikipedia and confirmed he was traded.
Chris, you are right about the 75th Anniversary video. Pat Summerall said on camera (paraphrased,) "I heard somebody once belched...in a team meeting. And Paul Brown cut him, because of that. The guy went on to be an All Pro, Doug Atkins."
I read elsewhere that Atkins burped at a team dinner. I was skeptical, but in his standard speech to open training camp, Paul Brown instructed his players to dress and behave appropriately during mealtime. "There have been players who have failed to make this team, simply because they were obnoxious to eat with."
Last edited by conace21 on Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
Paul Brown allegedly traded Doug Atkins to Chicago after the defensive end loudly belched at a team meal.
I always thought he was cut. I'm pretty sure someone on the "75 seasons" video says this. (or something else I saw over the years) Just consulted wikipedia and confirmed he was traded.
On 7/12/55, Atkins and defensive back Ken Gorgal were traded to the Chicago Bears for a couple of draft choices.
Paul Brown allegedly traded Doug Atkins to Chicago after the defensive end loudly belched at a team meal.
I always thought he was cut. I'm pretty sure someone on the "75 seasons" video says this. (or something else I saw over the years) Just consulted wikipedia and confirmed he was traded.
An old saying goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
The only Western Conference team to give the Cleveland Browns very much trouble during the 1950's was the Detroit Lions. The Browns always handled the Chicago Bears without too much trouble in those days. Cleveland traded Atkins to the Bears in 1955. The Chicago Bears, who finished 2nd in the west in 1954 and 1955, were a major rival with Detroit in the Western Conference. Maybe that was part of the reason that Paul Brown traded Doug Atkins to the Bears, besides having other problems with him. The starting defensive ends for Cleveland in 1954 and 1955 were Len Ford and Carlton Massey.
The one big game that the Chicago Bears had with the Detroit Lions during the 1950's was the regular season ending game between the two teams in 1956. Turns out that Doug Atkins was injured and did not play in that game. Taking his place was a 24 year old kid named Ed Meadows.
Of course that was the famous game where Meadows knocked out Bobby Layne.
