Paul Wiggin marveled at longtime Cleveland Browns teammate Jim Brown and created an impressive legacy of his own as an NFL player and champion.
Paul Wiggin won an NFL championship with the 1964 Browns and found comfort nearly 52 years later when Cleveland's drought without a major professional sports title ended.
Wiggin died on Dec. 12 at the age of 91, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced along with the Minnesota Vikings.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive end, Wiggin spent his entire NFL playing career with the Browns (1957-67). Drafted in 1956 by the Browns in the sixth round (No. 73 overall), Wiggin never missed a game in 11 seasons.
When the Cavaliers broke Cleveland's championship curse by capturing the NBA title in 2016, Wiggin rejoiced during an interview with the Beacon Journal.
"I loved the Cleveland fans," Wiggin said at the time. "I thought the fans there had as much passion as any fans I've ever been around in my life, and for them to go that long without a championship is almost unfair.
"I'm happy that they're back on track again because it's a great city. I wouldn't have traded my experiences there for anything. I'm thrilled to death for Cleveland. The drought wasn't anything that we wore on our sleeves as something of pride. We were always rooting for Cleveland to be a champion again."
The 10-year anniversary of the Cavs overcoming a 3-1 series deficit and defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals will be on June 19, 2026.
Wiggin spoke to the Beacon Journal during another important time in Cleveland sports history, reflecting on the death of legendary Browns running back Jim Brown in 2023.
"I remember he had a 3-yard run one time that was the most dramatic run I think I've ever seen," Wiggin said. "He was on the 3-yard line, and he beat down about five tacklers just with his arm, working and fighting his way to the goal line and scored. That was the kind of player he was.
"I had somebody ask me the other day, he said, 'I heard Jim Brown never ran out of bounds.' And I said, 'Well, I don't think anybody did back when I played, except when they were trying to stop the clock or something.' But Jim never did. Jim always fought for an inch more to win a football game. I think he's one of the great competitors I've ever been around."
Wiggin and Brown were Cleveland teammates from 1957 until Brown retired after the 1965 season.
"He was without question, in my opinion, the greatest running back that's ever played," Wiggin said. "I played against some pretty good ones, but I'm thankful I didn't have to play against him."
We're saddened by the loss of Paul Wiggin, a two-time Pro Bowler and Browns Legend who spent his entire 11-year playing career in Cleveland.
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 13, 2025
📰 » https://t.co/eV0r7gPh7Zpic.twitter.com/VOjHFy5T03
Wiggin started 127 of the 146 regular-season Browns games in which he appeared and compiled 60.5 sacks, 19 fumble recoveries, three interceptions and two touchdowns (one on a fumble recovery and another on an interception return).
The Browns inducted Wiggin into their Legends program in 2008.
After Wiggin's days with the Browns, he began a long coaching career, which included head coaching jobs with the Kansas City Chiefs (1975-77) and Stanford (1980-83), where he had been a two-time All-America defensive tackle (1955-56). He coached Stanford when the school's band prematurely took the field in 1982, resulting in "The Play" and California's wild walk-off win.
Wiggin coached defensive line for the Vikings from 1985-91 and worked as a member of Minnesota's player personnel staff for four decades.
A native of California, Wiggin was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 for his dominance on Stanford's defensive line.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns legend Paul Wiggin dies
Category: General Sports
