[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S24-S25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO LOU ``THE TOE'' GROZA AND ERIC TURNER

 Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I honor two titans of the 
gridiron--Lou ``The Toe'' Groza and Eric Turner. These men both played 
football for the Cleveland Browns. And, sadly, both have passed away, 
leaving enormous voids not only in the lives of their families and 
friends, but also in the hearts of the millions of fans who admired 
them.
  I'd like to spend a few minutes telling my colleagues about these two 
men. Both on and off the field, Lou Groza was a model sportsman and 
citizen. In the 1940s, Lou Groza had no time for football because he 
was serving his country as a medic in Okinawa. Upon his return from the 
war, Groza joined Paul Brown's Cleveland team and capped the 1950 
season with a NFL championship field goal against the Los Angeles Rams. 
That championship was the first of 12 in which Groza would compete. 
Throughout his 21-year career, the longest serving Brown player, Groza 
was selected for the Pro-Bowl nine different times.
  During his football career, he totaled an incredible 1,608 points, 
appeared in 13 pro-football championship games, was a six-time All-NFL 
offensive tackle, and was the last member of the Browns inaugural team 
to retire. Groza's outstanding service to the Browns, and to football, 
was rewarded in 1974 with his induction into the Hall of Fame.
  Lou Groza, who dearly loved his hometown of Berea, OH, and the 
Browns, was a man who really seemed larger than life. He was nothing 
sort of a sports legend. When Lou retired in 1967, it marked not only 
the end of his football career, but the end of a glorious era in Browns 
history.
  Lou Groza's football achievements speak for themselves, but it was 
what Groza did off the field that fellow Clevelanders remember him for 
most. After retiring from the Browns, Groza became a partner in a 
successful insurance company. He was constantly giving back to the 
Cleveland community through charitable organizations, such as the 
``Taste of the NFL,'' which has raised millions for the hungry. Groza 
always had the time to sign an autograph and often was overheard 
saying: ``I'm no better than the fans who rooted for me all those 
years.''
  In speaking of a man who cared so much of his community and his team, 
we should not forget another Brown star recently passed away. That man 
is Eric Turner. He was a safety, who was drafted second overall, the 
first defensive player to be picked that high since 1956. Although he 
only played a few years in Cleveland before the team was moved to 
Baltimore, Eric made it known that his heart would never leave the 
Browns of their wonderful fans. Eric was an active participant in the 
United Way, a devoted father, and a mentor to his teammates. His warm 
personality and generosity are truly missed.
  Lou Groza and Eric Turner had a love for football and for those 
around them. They gave to their team, to their families, and to their 
communities. I think it is only fitting that we give a little back to 
them by honoring them today and by keeping them and their families in 
our prayers.
  I feel honored today to stand before this body and pay my respects to 
these two fine men. They both displayed courage on the playing field, 
as well as in their own personal battles. Each man fought their failing 
health. Each man fought the good fight.

[[Page S25]]

  Tennis great, Arthur Ashe, whose own life ended all too soon, once 
said something that I think helps describe the kind of people, the 
kinds of heroes, that Lou Groza and Eric Turner were when they were 
alive and how they will be remembered in their deaths. Ashe said:

       True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is 
     not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the 
     urge to serve others at whatever cost.

  Today, we honor them as for their virtue and their strength of 
character. We honor them as true victors.

                          ____________________