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Ernest "Ernie" Green (born October 15, 1938 in Columbus, Georgia) was a former fullback for the Cleveland Browns American football team in the National Football League.
Early years
Green was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, and attended Spencer High School there.
College
Green attended the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky from 1958 until 1961. He played for the Louisville Cardinals which is affectionately referred to as "the Cards".
Green rushed for more than 1,500 yards in his career as a Louisville Cardinal running back. He was an outstanding athlete who led the University of Louisville in rushing during two of his four seasons and was a versatile player out of the backfield catching passes.
Green also excelled on the baseball diamond. He spurned baseball contract offers in order to remain on the gridiron.
Green Bay Packers
In 1962 the reigning world champion Green Bay Packers drafted Green in the 14th round of the NFL Draft.
After surviving preseason camp, Green was sold to the Cleveland Browns where he would make a name for himself as one of the league's top fullbacks.
Cleveland Browns
Green was sold by the Green Bay Packers in 1962 to the Cleveland Browns where he would make a name for himself as one of the league's top fullbacks.
After seeing limited action as a rookie in 1962, Green entered the Cleveland backfield alongside the legendary Hall of Famer Jim Brown.
Green finished his first full season of action with 526 rushing yards and catching 28 passes out of the backfield. He also helped open holes for Brown to gain 1,863 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Following Brown's retirement in 1967, Green teamed with Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly to give Cleveland one of the most dangerous backfield combinations in the NFL.
Green earned a pair of Pro Bowl appearances following the 1966 and 1967 seasons and was a member of the Browns' 1964 NFL Championship team. He was a two-time All-Pro for the Browns between 1962 and 1968.
He completed his six-year NFL career gaining 3,204 yards while catching 179 passes out of the backfield.
Pro Bowler
Green was a 2-time Pro Bowler in 1966 and 1967.
Retirement and Business Interests
Green retired from football in 1968. Green runs Ernie Green Industries, which manufactures components for the automotive industry in suburban Dayton.
Breast Cancer
Green was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2005 after finding a small lump in his chest. He underwent a mastectomy in September 2005 and endured eight sessions of chemotherapy which ended in March 2006.
Green has become a breast cancer activist to educate other men about the disease and how it can affect them personally. Green's two older sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer, and one of them died from the disease after it returned.
Green stated that along with most men, he thought of the disease as only affecting women until he was personally diagnosed with it.
After getting a 2nd opinion, Green received treatment from Dr. Robert Shenk, a breast surgeon at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland. Green's first doctor told him not to worry because men don't have the problem of breast cancer like women.
Notes and references
External links