Frank Ryan, who played quarterback for thirteen seasons in the NFL, passed away on New Year’s Day. He was 87. Ryan played from 1958 to 1961 with the Los Angeles Rams, 1962 to 1968 with the Cleveland Browns, and 1969 to 1970 with the Washington Redskins. He led the Browns to their latest NFL Championship, in 1964. Ryan led the league in touchdown passes twice, in 1964 and 1966.
Today’s card of the day is Ryan’s 1962 Kahn’s Wieners card, issued in his first year with the team. Ryan wore number 13 his entire time with the Browns, so I believe he is wearing Len Dawson‘s old jersey in this photo. Dawson, who had worn number 18 for the Browns, was released around the beginning of June of 1962. The Browns then acquired Ryan in a trade with the Rams in July. By the time the Browns had their 1962 team photo taken (see it here), Ryan was wearing his customary number 13.
Ryan’s 1963 and 1969 Topps cards also show him wearing number 18, so I suspect the photos on those cards were taken in the same session as the one on his 1962 Kahn’s card.
Not surprisingly, Ryan also appeared on a lot of other cards in his career. You can see them all in the Gallery. You can see the full set of 1962 Kahn’s Wieners cards, as well.