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Bob Gain
Bob Gain
Bob Gain
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Robert Gain (June 21, 1929 – November 14, 2016) was an American professional football player for 13 seasons with the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL), and also played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played in five Pro Bowls in the space of seven years with the Browns and was a first-team All-Pro selection once and a second-team selection seven times.[1]

Key Information

Gain played tackle, middle guard, and end and was standout defender at tackle, end, and middle guard. Cleveland led the NFL in many defensive categories in his 12 years and the Browns won 2⁄3 of their games and three championships during his career.

College career

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Gain was a standout offensive and defensive lineman at the University of Kentucky, where he won the Outland Trophy in 1950 as the nation's Outstanding College Interior Football Lineman of the Year. Gain started at tackle four years (1947–1950) at the University of Kentucky (SEC). At Kentucky he won All-American honors his last two years (consensus in 1950) and co-captained a Wildcats team that captured the SEC championship. In 1950, the three-year All-SEC selection was chosen the best SEC lineman by the Atlanta (GA) Touchdown and Birmingham (AL) Quarterback Clubs. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.

Professional career

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After playing one season in Canada in 1951 with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, he returned to Cleveland and played for 12 years (1952, 1954–1964). Gain played defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns (NFL). A stalwart defensive tackle on six Browns Eastern Conference and three (1954–1955, 1964) NFL championship teams, Gain started in five Pro Bowl games.

Gain interrupted his professional career in 1953 to serve in Korean War for the United States Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant.[2] He returned to the Browns near the end of the 1954 season.[3]

He was honored by the Pittsburgh (PA) Dapper Dan Club and was named to the West Virginia and Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.

He ended his career with a one-time All-Pro and a 7-time Second-team All-Pro record in his 12 seasons, and after the 1957 season was voted the NFL Defensive linemen of the year by the Los Angeles Times.[4]

He ended his career with three NFL championships with the Browns.

The Professional Football Researchers Association named Gain to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2010.[5]

References

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Bob Gain

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from Grokipedia
Bob Gain was an American football player known for his standout college career at the University of Kentucky, where he earned consensus All-America honors and the Outland Trophy, and for his durable professional tenure as a defensive lineman with the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. Born on June 21, 1929, in Akron, Ohio, he excelled as a two-way tackle and placekicker for the Wildcats from 1947 to 1950, contributing to their first Southeastern Conference title and a Sugar Bowl win over Oklahoma in his senior year. Gain was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980 in recognition of his achievements as Kentucky's first inductee and one of the era's premier interior linemen. After his college career, Gain played one season (1951) in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders, winning the Grey Cup. He joined the Cleveland Browns in 1952 but missed the 1953 season due to service as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He returned in 1954 and remained with the team through 1964, appearing in 126 games primarily as a defensive tackle while also playing other line positions. He earned five Pro Bowl selections between 1957 and 1962 and received multiple All-Pro honors for his consistent performance as a versatile and hard-nosed defender. Gain played a key role in three NFL championships with the Browns in 1954, 1955, and 1964, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise's most accomplished defensive players. He retired after the 1964 season and passed away on November 14, 2016, in Willoughby, Ohio.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family Background

Bob Gain was born Robert Gain on June 21, 1929, in Akron, Ohio. He was the son of Zeman Gain, a restaurant owner, and Mary (née Maletich) Gain. Gain's father died when he was in the sixth grade, after which he relocated with his mother, grandmother, and aunt to Weirton, West Virginia. Limited details are available about his immediate family beyond his parents, with no verified information on siblings or extended relatives during his childhood.

High School Football

Bob Gain played high school football at Weir High School in Weirton, West Virginia. He was an outstanding lineman, primarily at tackle, for the Red Riders under head coach Carl Hamill during the mid-1940s. Gain also contributed as a punter and kicker. In his senior year of 1946, the Red Riders compiled an 8-2 record and finished second in the state rankings. Gain earned All-West Virginia honors for his performance on the line. His standout play drew attention from college scouts, leading to numerous scholarship offers and his recruitment to the University of Kentucky by coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Gain graduated from Weir High School in 1947.

College Career at Kentucky

Bob Gain played college football at the University of Kentucky from 1947 to 1950 under head coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, establishing himself as a dominant two-way lineman and placekicker. He primarily started at tackle on both offense and defense, contributing significantly to the team's line play during a successful era that included appearances in the Great Lakes Bowl (1947), Orange Bowl (1949), and Sugar Bowl (1951). Gain earned All-Southeastern Conference honors throughout his career, receiving second-team recognition in 1948 and first-team selections in both 1949 and 1950. He earned All-American honors in 1949 and achieved consensus All-American status in 1950, highlighting his growth into one of the top linemen in college football. His senior season in 1950 proved particularly outstanding, as Gain won the Outland Trophy as the nation's premier interior lineman—the first Southeastern Conference player to claim the award—and helped lead Kentucky to an 11-1 record, the program's first SEC championship, and a landmark 13-7 Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma that snapped the Sooners' 31-game winning streak. As a placekicker, he set a school record by making 10-of-10 extra points in a single game against North Dakota that year. These accomplishments underscored Gain's impact at Kentucky and positioned him for further opportunities in professional football.

Military Service

U.S. Air Force During Korean War

Bob Gain served as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. His military service interrupted his professional football career in 1953, causing him to miss the entire 1953 NFL season with the Cleveland Browns. Gain returned to the Cleveland Browns near the end of the 1954 season.

Professional Football Career

Ottawa Rough Riders in CFL

Bob Gain played the 1951 season with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League after being drafted in the first round (fifth overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 1951 NFL Draft but failing to reach contract terms with the team. He starred for Ottawa, contributing significantly through his defensive line play as well as his kicking, including field goals and singles (rouges). The Rough Riders captured the Grey Cup championship that year, marking their first CFL title in several years with Gain's help. This one-year stint in the CFL preceded Gain's professional career in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland Browns Tenure

Bob Gain played for the Cleveland Browns in 1952 and continuously from 1954 to 1964, appearing in 12 seasons with the franchise. His tenure was interrupted by military service in the U.S. Air Force during the 1953 season. Gain primarily lined up at defensive tackle throughout his time in Cleveland, though he occasionally played defensive end as well. He established himself as a stalwart presence on the Browns' defensive line, serving as a consistent starter for much of his career under head coach Paul Brown and later in the early years under Blanton Collier. Paul Brown praised Gain as an excellent defensive tackle, noting that he relied on tremendous strength, big hands, quickness, and mobility to dominate opposing linemen. Gain's long-term role contributed to the defensive identity of the Browns during a period of sustained competitiveness in the NFL.

NFL Achievements and Statistics

Championships and Pro Bowl Selections

Bob Gain's career with the Cleveland Browns was highlighted by participation in three NFL championships, as the team won titles in 1954, 1955, and 1964. These victories established him as part of one of the most successful defensive units in Browns history during the 1950s and early 1960s. Gain earned five Pro Bowl selections during his NFL tenure, receiving honors in 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1962. His repeated invitations to the league's all-star game reflected his status as one of the top defensive linemen of his era. He also received extensive All-Pro recognition, securing one first-team All-Pro selection and seven second-team All-Pro honors in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1962.

Career Defensive Statistics

Bob Gain's career defensive statistics were compiled over 12 seasons with the Cleveland Browns from 1952 to 1964. He recovered 15 opponent fumbles during this span, with 2 return yards and no fumble return touchdowns. Gain recorded 1 interception for 22 yards, which he returned for a touchdown. His career also includes 14.0 sacks, as determined by retroactive research from Pro-Football-Reference, since sacks were not an official NFL statistic during his playing era. These figures account for his total of 1 defensive touchdown.

Honors and Legacy

Major Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions

Bob Gain's contributions to football have been honored through several prestigious hall of fame inductions and recognitions in the years following his playing career. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980, becoming the first player from the University of Kentucky to receive this distinction, in acknowledgment of his standout performance as a two-way tackle and placekicker for the Wildcats. Gain was also enshrined in the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, recognizing his impact on the sport in the region. He received induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his high school football beginnings in Weirton, West Virginia. In 2010, the Professional Football Researchers Association named him to its Hall of Very Good, which celebrates outstanding players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gain is additionally an honoree in the Cleveland Browns Legends program, which commemorates former players who made lasting contributions to the franchise. These post-career accolades reflect the sustained legacy of Gain's achievements at both the collegiate and professional levels.

Recognition by Browns and Other Organizations

Bob Gain was inducted into the Cleveland Browns Legends Program in 2003, an honor recognizing his role as one of the franchise's all-time great defensive tackles during his 12-season career with the team (1952, 1954–1964). The Legends Program, established in 2001 by the Browns organization, celebrates players who have made lasting contributions to the team's history and success. Gain was part of the 2003 class alongside offensive tackle Dick Schafrath and cornerback Hanford Dixon. He also received recognition from other Cleveland-area organizations, including induction into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 1978 for his football achievements, particularly his tenure as one of the finest defensive tackles in Cleveland Browns history.

Media Appearances

Appearances in NFL Television Broadcasts

Bob Gain appeared as himself in several NFL television broadcasts, reflecting his status as a prominent defensive player for the Cleveland Browns during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was credited in multiple episodes of the TV series The NFL on CBS from 1957 to 1963, appearing as Self - Cleveland Browns Defensive Tackle or Self - Cleveland Browns Defensive End across six episodes. Gain also featured in the 1957 NFL Championship Game TV special, credited as Self - Cleveland Browns Defensive Tackle during the broadcast of the Browns' matchup against the Detroit Lions. In a later retrospective, he appeared in the 1987 TV special NFL: Fabulous 50s Volume 1 as Self - Cleveland Browns Defensive Tackle. These credited roles were tied to his on-field career with the Browns and provided direct visibility in NFL programming of the era.

Archival and Highlight Footage

Bob Gain's game footage from his tenure with the Cleveland Browns in the 1950s and 1960s has been utilized in various NFL retrospective productions and highlight compilations. He is featured in archival footage in the 1987 special NFL: Fabulous 50s Volume 1, a production that showcases notable players and moments from the league's 1950s era. His post-career media footprint remains limited, with few additional verified credits or dedicated highlight features beyond such NFL Films-related archival uses, reflecting the era's focus on team and league history rather than individual player profiles.

Personal Life and Death

Marriage and Family

Bob Gain was married to Mary Katherine "Kitty" Bastin for 64 years, until his death in 2016. Their marriage began in the early 1950s and spanned his entire professional football career with the Cleveland Browns as well as his post-retirement life. The couple had three daughters: Jerry Lynn Walls, Janis Gain, and Judy Ann Gain.

Later Years and Passing

Bob Gain died on November 14, 2016, in Willoughby, Ohio, at the age of 87. Details about his activities and occupations in the years following his retirement from professional football remain limited in public sources. He was survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Mary Katherine Bastin.

References

  1. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/bob-gain-1980/
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GainBo00.htm
  3. https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1678
  4. https://kyprofootballhof.org/hof/bob-gain/
  5. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/photos/photos-remembering-bob-gain-18082491
  6. https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/17-06-627.pdf
  7. https://www.clevelandseniors.com/people/bob-gain.htm
  8. https://www.brownsnation.com/bob-gain/
  9. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/19/sports/football/bob-gain-dead-cleveland-browns.html
  10. https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/sports/local-sports/2016/11/former-weir-standout-bob-gain-dies-at-87/
  11. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/bob-gain/1678
  12. https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/opinion/local-columns/2021/12/history-in-the-hills-a-football-field-of-history/
  13. https://ukathletics.com/news/2016/11/15/582baaaee4b046809ffb0b10-131467804497869792/
  14. https://footballfoundation.org/news/2016/11/15/_55750.aspx
  15. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story?id=18065959&src=desktop
  16. https://www.clevelandsportshall.com/gain-bob/
  17. https://profootballresearchers.com/hall-of-very-good-2010.html
  18. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/legends
  19. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/legendary-browns-lineman-bob-gain-dies-18082523
  20. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4002198/
  21. https://obits.cleveland.com/us/obituaries/cleveland/name/robert-gain-obituary?id=11995454
  22. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-herald/name/robert-gain-obituary?id=11995461
  23. https://www.jakubs.com/obituaries/Mary-Katherine-Gain?obId=30994464
  24. https://obits.cleveland.com/us/obituaries/cleveland/name/mary-gain-obituary?id=18171743
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