National Football League

Browns captured Cleveland's last championship, 50 years ago on Dec. 27

Published Dec. 27, 2014 1:23 p.m. ET

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The Cleveland Browns blanked the Baltimore Colts for the NFL Championship on Dec. 27, 1964. No one would have guessed the city known as "C-Town" would be shut out of major sports championships for the next 50 years.

Jim Brown and the Browns stunned Johnny Unitas and the Colts, 27-0, before 79,544 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

The final score did not reflect the 60 minutes. The first half was scoreless. The Browns came out and took charge after the break, as flanker back Gary Collins caught a then-record three touchdown passes in the game. Brown, the Hall of Fame running back and legend, carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards.

Cleveland's other six points came on field goals by Lou "The Toe" Groza, one from 43 yards to open the scoring, the other from 10 to make it 20-0. Remember, the goal posts were on the goal line then, so a field goal from that distance was possible.

Unhappy birthday, C-town

Collins' TD passes were thrown by Frank Ryan. The tandem connected from 18, 42 and 51 yards.

On the other side of the field, a Hall of Fame quarterback failed to deliver. Johnny Unitas was 12 of 20 for 95 yards and two interceptions. The Colts netted 181 yards an allowed Cleveland 339.

Brown would go on to play one more season for Cleveland before retiring at age 29. The franchise, itself, would continue in Cleveland until Art Modell moved it to Baltimore after the 1995 season, leaving the city heartbroken and angry.

Cleveland was given a franchise again and the Browns began playing again in 1999.

Still, no championship has come from this incarnation of the Browns, the Cavaliers or the Indians since 1964.

And while LeBron's return has boosted spirits and hopes for another title, bad news continues to plagues the city's teams.

Just look at Saturday, the 50th anniversary of the last title, when the Browns suspended star wide receiver Josh Gordon.

The more things change, the more they remain the same in Cleveland.

Newspapers with banner headlines on the floor of the lockerroom announce the Cleveland Browns as the champions of the NFL.

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