Dick Modzelewski Richard Blair Modzelewski ( born February 16 , 1931 ) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins , Pittsburgh Steelers , New York Giants , and the Cleveland Browns . He also served as interim head coach of the Browns in the final game of the 1977 season . Modzelewski was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993 . Early life . Growing up in West Natrona , Pennsylvania as one of six children , Modzelewski was a three - sport athlete at Har - Brack High School ( now Highlands High School ) . College career . Modzelewski joined his brother , Ed , and played college football at the University of Maryland . Just as he was set to begin his sophomore season , Modzelewski moved into the starting lineup after an injury to the Terrapins ' Ray Krouse . He would keep that status for the next three years , winning All - America n honors as both a junior and senior , while also capturing the 1952 Outland Trophy . In a 1951 game against the University of North Carolina , Modzelewski paced a defense with 12 solo tackles , while the team held the Tar Heels to just 40 yards of offense . At the end of that season , Maryland was ranked third in the country and knocked off the top - ranked University of Tennessee Volunteers in the Sugar Bowl . Professional career . He was considered a small ( 6 - 0 , 250 pounds ) defensive tackle during a 14 - year National Football League playing career , but set the standard for durability by never missing a game and retiring as the record - holder for consecutive games played ( 180 games ) . Washington Redskins . The Washington Redskins took notice of Modzelewski ' s accomplishments and drafted him in the second round of the 1953 NFL Draft , signing him on April 10 . In his two years with the team , Modzelewski showed promise as a rookie , then began having conflicts with Redskins ' coach Joe Kuharich in 1954 . As a result , Modzelewski signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League , ready to play for former Maryland assistant coach Jack Hennemier . However , after the Redskins filed an injunction to stop the deal , the Stampeders signed an agreement to tear up the contract . Pittsburgh Steelers . With Modzelewski unhappy , the Redskins traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 1 , 1955 , once again reuniting him with brother Ed , a fullback on the team . The brothers would not play together though , as Ed was traded to the Cleveland Browns , as a replacement for retiring Hall of Famer Marion Motley , with whom he won the NFL Championship . Dick was once again traded , this time twice in a four - day span . On April 24 , 1956 , he was traded to the Detroit Lions , then was dealt three days later to the New York Giants . In an ironic twist , the player the Lions receive was Krouse , whose 1950 injury at Maryland had led to Modzelewski ' s development . New York Giants . Over the next eight seasons , the Giants would play for the NFL championship six times , but their only victory would come during Modzelewski ' s first season in 1956 . Among a colorful group of defenders , Modzelewski ' s low - key approach often saw him remain in the shadow of these players , but his presence helped the team remain a perennial title contender . Cleveland Browns . On March 4 , 1964 , Modzelewski was traded to the Browns , in exchange for wide receiver Bobby Crespino . Originally expected to be a supplement to starting defensive tackles Jim Kanicki and Frank Parker , Modzelewski was rushed into the lineup following an injury to Parker in the season opener on September 13 . Over the course of the season , Modzelewski ' s veteran leadership helped lead the Browns to their first Eastern Conference title in seven years . In the NFL Championship game on December 27 , he joined an aggressive defense in completely shutting down the Baltimore Colts offense , giving the Browns a 27 - 0 shutout victory . It is noteworthy to add that in their first seasons with the Browns both Dick in 1964 and his brother Ed in 1955 helped Cleveland win the NFL Championship . In his final two years as a player , the Browns again reached the title game in 1965 , but fell short the following year . During his final campaign , Modzelewski was joined by another brother , Gene , who played one season before fulfilling a military commitment . Coaching career . Modzelewski served as a scout for the Browns in 1967 , then joined the team ' s on - field staff the following year as defensive line coach . After two solid years in which the team again reached the NFL Championship game , the Browns ' fortunes declined over the next five years , with a then - team - worst 3 - 11 record in 1975 forcing head coach Forrest Gregg to make changes . On February 13 , 1976 , Modzelewski was promoted to defensive coordinator and the team responded with a six - game improvement . Midway through the 1977 season , the Browns had a 5 - 2 record and seemed destined for their first playoff berth in five years . However , a season - ending injury to starting quarterback Brian Sipe led to a tailspin that culminated with Gregg ' s dismissal on December 13 . Modzelewski was named interim head coach for the team ' s final game , a 20 - 19 loss to the second - year Seattle Seahawks . As 1978 began , new Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano quickly announced he was eliminating the defensive coordinator position , and offered Modzelewski the job of defensive line coach . Seeing the offer as a demotion , Modzelewski resigned and returned to the New York Giants as their defensive coordinator . That position would last only one season after another wholesale coaching change , but he would resurface as defensive line coach with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1979 under head coach Homer Rice . After first being dismissed with the entire staff one day after the end of the 1979 season , Modzelewski was rehired by Gregg , who had been selected as the Bengals ' new head coach . The team struggled to a 6 - 10 season in 1980 , but then put together a memorable year in 1981 , ending with the franchise ' s first - ever trip to the Super Bowl . Despite a 26 - 21 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI , the Bengals returned to the post - season the following year , but lost in the first round of the expanded playoff system . After a disappointing 1983 season , Gregg left to take over his dream job : head coach of the Green Bay Packers , then brought Modzelewski with him to again serve as defensive line coach . Modzelewski eventually served as the team ' s defensive coordinator , but after four frustrating years , Gregg resigned and Modzelewski landed with the Lions in 1988 as the defensive line tutor . He spent two years in that role until announcing his retirement .