Team from 1964 stays in touch

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Remaining members of the NFL championship team are still close.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The 1964 NFL championship won by the Cleveland Browns played a defining role in the life of team member Bernie Parrish.

"You sort of measure life by before winning the championship and then after," he said.

Parrish, now living in Gainesville, Fla., was a starting defensive back on the championship team. He serves as treasurer of an alumni group from the era, called Cleveland Browns 1964.

Bonding environment

"It's like the esprit de corps that you develop in any kind of a war. You are committed to the guys in the trenches with you, and that never leaves, especially if you are successful at what you are doing," Parrish said.

Members of the group have a special bond.

"Anytime we start talking about the 1964 group, I think of guys hugging each other," said Jim Houston, a starting defensive end/linebacker on the team and president of Cleveland Browns 1964.

Houston communicates with his former teammates mostly through e-mail and letters. Sent to an address list that also includes Browns officials, Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, members of the media and even former Indians ace pitcher Sam McDowell, his messages run the gamut from serious to humorous and convey both good news and bad news.

None of Houston's e-mails have been quite as solemn as one sent announcing the July 17 death of Galen Fiss, the captain of the 1964 team. The letter even beat Browns officials to the difficult task of announcing Fiss' death.

Word spread

"I was really amazed ... to see the e-mails sent out, not by me but by the team members to all their former teammates letting them know about it," said Dino Lucarelli, Browns director of alumni relations. "That's nice that they keep in touch with each other."

After coming together for the 40-year anniversary of their championship, the members of the 1964 Browns decided to create an organization that could maintain their connections.

Incorporated last year, the Cleveland Browns 1964 is collaborating with Browns Backers clubs to organize a trip with the team members and fans. The group has also organized a few autograph signings in the Cleveland area.

The officers of Cleveland Browns 1964 all played key roles during the team's championship season, capped by a 27-0 upset over the Baltimore Colts in the title game.

"Since the '64 team has had all the success, we thought it would be nice to keep everybody abreast of things and invite them to participate," Houston said.

Monday, August 14, 2006