Tom DeLeone, Former Browns Center, Dies at Age 65

Former Cleveland Browns center Tom DeLeone died Sunday morning after he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Ohio.com).

DeLeone was 65 years old when he died.   

DeLeone played for Ohio State University during his collegiate career, and the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the fifth round of the 1972 draft. He was a long snapper in Cincinnati before he joined the Browns and eventually earned the starting center role. He was with Cleveland from 1974 to 1984 and made the Pro Bowl in 1979 and 1980.

The Browns' official website noted DeLeone received the George Halas Award in 1976 following the death of his first wife, Susie (who died of cancer). The George Halas Award is given to the NFL’s most courageous player.

According to Ulrich (in separate article), former Browns defensive lineman Carl Barisich—who was also a close friend—“said DeLeone chose to donate his brain and spinal column to Boston University’s CTE Center, which researches chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes and military personnel.”