Ernie Kellermann
No. 24
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1943-12-17) December 17, 1943
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:St. Peter Chanel (OH)
College:Miami (Ohio)
NFL Draft:1965 / Round: 12 / Pick: 159
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:105
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Ernie James Kellerman (also Kellermann) (born December 17, 1943) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills.[1] He played college football at Miami University.

Early years

Kellerman played quarterback and defensive back for the St. Peter Chanel High School Firebirds and he was a member of the first graduating class of the school in 1961.

He accepted a scholarship from Miami University, where he was coached by John Pont and Bo Schembechler. He became a three-time All-Mid-American Conference quarterback from 1962 to 1964. He established 14 records and is still Miami University's all-time total offensive leader with 3,978 yards. His biggest game passing came against Houston in the 1962 Tangerine Bowl when he completed 17 of 40 passes for 265 yards.[2]

In his senior year, he set four passing records by completing 88 of 149 passes for 1,260 yards and a completion percentage of .591. His 88-yard touchdown pass enabled Miami to defeat Purdue, 10–7, for the upset of the collegiate football season in 1962.[3]

Professional career

Kellerman was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the twelfth round (159th overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft. He was converted into a defensive back, but was waived on September 13.

In 1965, he was signed to the taxi squad of his hometown Cleveland Browns based on a recommendation from Schembechler. The next year, he made the team as a safety and played through the 1971 season, recording 17 interceptions over those six seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1968;[4] he intercepted six passes that year, his highest season total. His lone NFL touchdown came in 1969 on an interception return against the Green Bay Packers.[5] He was released during final roster cuts on September 12, 1972.[6]

Kellerman played for Cincinnati Bengals in 1972 and the Buffalo Bills in 1973 before retiring.

References

  1. ↑ Palmer, Pete; Pullis, Ken; Lahman, Sean; Silverman, Matthew; Gillette, Gary. The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia: First Edition, p. 375. ESPN Books, 2006. ISBN 978-1-4027-4216-3.
  2. ↑ Toledo Blade. "Houston Mauls Miami in Tangerine, 49 to 21". December 23, 1962, p. 2-1. Retrieved on June 12, 2013.
  3. ↑ Chandler, John. "Miami's Victory Over Purdue Is Top Upset". Park City Daily News, December 23, 1962, p. 22. Retrieved on June 12, 2013.
  4. ↑ Palmer et al., p. 1361.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Chuck. "Browns Break Tradition, Defeat Packers". Milwaukee Journal, December 8, 1969, p. 17. Retrieved on June 12, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kellermann Is Cut By Browns". Akron Beacon Journal. September 12, 1972. p. 8. Retrieved September 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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