CLEVELAND, Ohio – The story of former Cleveland Browns star Dante Lavelli comes to life in a presentation this week.
“Dante Lavelli: He Just Wanted to Play Ball” is 12:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Cuyahoga County Library’s Independence branch.
Bette Lou Higgins’ Eden Valley Enterprises will present the story of the Hudson-born Lavelli, who went to Ohio State before becoming a star with the Browns in the 1940s and ’50s.
The free program was commissioned by Lavelli’s daughter, Lucinda Lavelli, Higgins said. The two are working on a book about Lavelli.
A Hall of Famer who played from 1946 to 1956, Lavelli spent his entire career with Cleveland. He was a solid receiver who lined up on the right side in an era when passing was not as prolific as it is now in professional football. He caught 386 passes for 6,488 yards and a 16.8-yard average. He scored 62 touchdowns in 123 games. Lavelli, nicknamed “Gluefingers,” caught most of those passes from quarterback Otto Graham. His Ohio license plate read, “Mr. Glue.”
Lavelli died in 2009.
The library is at 6361 Selig Dr., Independence. For details, call 216-447-0160.
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