On many levels we enjoyed a most enlightening and memorable trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and its historical surroundings, and discovered some amazing information.
It happened that we were staying in the same Berea, Ohio, neighborhood of a larger-than-life hometown Cleveland hero, Louis Roy Groza, nicknamed and forever to be remembered in Cleveland as "The Toe" (1/25/24 - 11/29/2000).
We stayed at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in our motorhome in the City of Berea, Ohio. Lou Groza returned to again call this area his family's home after his retirement. He was honored in numerous ways, almost too many to count!
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| Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Berea, Ohio |
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| Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Berea, Ohio |
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| Home of the Cleveland Browns National Football League |
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| Lou Groza Field Berea, Ohio |
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| In 2016 Groza was honored with a statue in front of Lou Groza Field |
In 2012, Lou Groza Field was built in Berea, Ohio. The Lou Groza Field is the home of the Lou Groza Youth Football Program.
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| Lou Groza Field - No mistake this is a honored football hero |
Lou Groza played his entire career for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). Groza was professional football's kicking and points leader when he retired after the 1967 season. Upon retiring from the Browns, Gorza's number 76 was retired. He played in 21 seasons for the Brown's, helping the team win 8 League championships. He set numerous records for distance and number of field goals kicked during his career. He is recognized for the following:
- 4 times AAFC Champion
- 4 times NFL Championship
- Selected 9 times for the Pro Bowl
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- 1974 Inducted into Professional Football Hall of Fame
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| #76 is honored on the Lou Garza Field in Berea, Ohio |
Groza set NFL records for field goals made in 1950, 1952 and1953. Sporting News Magazine
named him the League's "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) in 1954 when the Browns won another championship. In 1974 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The street the Cleveland Browns Training Facility is located was renamed "Lou Groza Boulevard".
named him the League's "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) in 1954 when the Browns won another championship. In 1974 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
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| Cleveland Browns Training Facility Berea, Ohio |
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| Lou Groza Boulevard Berea, Ohio |
The street the Cleveland Browns Training Facility is located was renamed "Lou Groza Boulevard".
Groza enrolled at Ohio State University on a football scholarship in 1942, but after 1 year in college, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to serve in World War II. He was deployed as an army surgical technician in the Pacific theatre, where he stayed until returning in 1946 to play for the Cleveland Browns.
In 1992, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, named the Lou Groza Award after him. The award is given annually to the country's best college place kicker.
Lou Groza suffered an apparent heart attack on 11/29/2000. He was survived by his wife, Jackie, 3 sons, Jeff, Jon and Judd, and 1 daughter, Jill. He is buried in Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Ohio.
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