Evening star., 1951-12-24
Browns Reign Ended
On Van BrockIin's
Pass 10 Tom Fears
BY the Assoeiated Press

master passers met in Memorial
Coliseum yesterday and two of
them ganged UP on the third. AS
a result. the Los Angeles Rams
are the new champions of the
National Football League.
1t was just about a standoff be-
tween Otto Graham of the Cleve-
land Browns and Bob Waterfield
of the Rams. Between them they
had fashioned 17-17 tie IN the
waning minutes of a great ball
game.
Then young Norman Van
Brocklin. the Flying Dutchman
from Oregon. took over from Wa
terf1eld. And on one great toss,
gathered in by Tommy Fears for
a net gain of 70 yards. the Rams
broke long-standing jinx wide
open and whipped the Browns,
24-17.
1t was the Rams first victory
over Cleveland in five tries. and
their first championship since
l945-although they have been in
the playoff three years running.
Manage to Lift Stydahar.
Despite a bruising clash which
left 59,475 spectators limp, the
Rams still had a little left
enough to pack their 275-pound
coach. Joe Stydahar, off the field
on their shoulders. Great. great
great guys" muttered the NAM
moth ex7West Virginia tackle.
1t was game full of highlights
and tense moments. The record
crowd saw passing wizardry. fine
running. 52-yard field goal. a
touchdown called back by a pen
atty, just about everything a foot
ball game can offer.
But the payoff was the big play
of the day. Cleveland had lust
tied it up, and Van Brocklin had
stepped in to give the tired
Waterfield rest. With the ball
on his own 27-yard mark, the
lanky quarterback dropped back.
He had perfect protection as
Fears raced downfield, then veered
toward the sideline.
Two Cleveland backs were wait
ing. But Fears wasn't to be
denied. He went into the air. took
the ball away from both defenders,
and came down at full speed. Tha
goal was still nearly 40 yards
away, but he made it without
breaking stride.
Brown Credits Fears.
THAT Fears" said Cleveland
Coach Paul Brown afterward,
was the difference today" And
Brown had a point. Tommy took
three other passes during the
afternoon, for a total of 146 yards.
A lot happened before the cli-
max. The Rams tailed first. after
Ia scoreless first quarter, as Full
back Dick Hoerner went over from
the one-yard mark after S.
yard drive.
Lou Groza. the field goal kick
ing machine, had missed a beat
in the first quarter. booting wide
from 19 yards out But from So
yards away. he was high and true,
and the count was 7-3.
The kick topped the previous
record in playoff game. 40 yards
set Jointly by Ward Cuff of the
New York Giants in 1888 and tied
the next year by Ernie Smith of
Green Bay. For the Rams, it also
was reminiscent of Groza's field
goal last year which beat them,
1923, in this same playoff game.
Graham put the favored visitors
out in front by half-time with a
sudden passing spurt. He hit three
times in as many tries, the third
for II yards and a touchdown to
Dub Jones, and the teams left the
field with Cleveland on top, 10-7.
Ends Harass Graham.
But Graham was the victim as
the Rams scored again. All day
long he was the target of Larry
Brink and Andy Robustelli. Ram
defensive ends, and the fans often
marveled that he got his tosses
away at all. In the third quarter
Otto faded back with the ball on
his own 35. Brink hit him hard
from the blind side and the ball
bounded away. Robustelli scooped
lit up, dropped it, got it agair,
and went to within yard OF the
goal before he was brought down.
Deacon Dan fowler hit The line
three times before he could get
across
In the fourth period the Rams
twice more got to the l-yard line.
The first time they were held for
four downs, the second for three.
Then Waterfield kicked field
goal from the 18, and the Rams
led. 17-10.
But Graham and his gang came
right back. Otto himself contrib
'uted a 34-yard gallop and Ken
Carpenter went off tackle for a
yard to tie the score and set the
stage for Van Brocklin and Fears.
Penalty Costs Score.
The in-and-out Rams, who won
8 and lost 4 this year against
Cleveland's ILL record, were high
for the playoff hut needed two
good breaks to win it One was
Graham's crucial tumble, the
other was holding penalty which
Inullifed Graham touchdown
toss to Mac Speedie.
All told, Graham threw 40
passes and connected with 19.
Waterfeld made good on nine of
"a, Van Brocklin on four Of six.
Neither team could do much
against the others powerful line,
the Browns getting 80 net scrim-
mage yards, the Rams 81.
Of the crowd which t0rned the