Dick Modzelewski was an American football player who played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He was born on February 16, 1931, in West Natrona, Pennsylvania, and attended the University of Maryland, where he played college football.
Modzelewski was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 1953 NFL Draft. He played for the Redskins for three seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1956. He played for the Steelers for two seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1959.
Modzelewski played for the Browns for six seasons and was a key member of their defense during their championship years in 1964 and 1965. He was known for his toughness and his ability to stop the run. He was also a team leader and was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
After leaving the Browns, Modzelewski played for the New York Giants for three seasons before finishing his career with the Buffalo Bills in 1972. He retired from football in 1973 and went on to work as a coach for several NFL teams, including the New York Giants, the Cleveland Browns, and the New Orleans Saints.
Modzelewski was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the All-Pro team three times. He was also named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Cleveland Browns Legends Program in 2003.
Modzelewski passed away on September 27, 2018, at the age of 87. He was remembered by his former teammates and coaches as a tough and dedicated player who was a key part of some of the best defenses in NFL history.
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