NFL.com wire reports

BEREA, Ohio (Nov. 23, 2005) -- Hall of Fame center Frank Gatski, a powerful blocker who played in 10 consecutive championship games for the Cleveland Browns, has died.

Gatski died Tuesday in Morgantown, W.Va., according to his son-in-law, James Giuliani.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton lists Gatski's age as 83, but Giuliani said family members are not certain what year he was born.

Gatski died of congestive heart failure, Browns alumni relations director Dino Lucarelli said. He had been in failing health and wasn't well enough to attend a reunion of Browns players last weekend in Cleveland.

"Gunner" Gatski anchored a line that by the end of his career included Hall of Fame tackles Lou Groza and Mike McCormack. He also played alongside former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll, a Browns guard, and snapped the ball to Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham.

The Cleveland teams of the late 1940s and '50s, coached by offensive mastermind Paul Brown, dominated the All-America Football Conference, and later the NFL. Gatski and the Browns won four AAFC championships (1946-49) and NFL titles in 1950, 1954 and 1955.

READ MORE

For Immediate Release
November 23, 2005

Browns Statement regarding the passing of Hall of Fame Frank Gatski

“The Cleveland Browns are saddened by the loss of Frank Gatski. His hard-nosed play on the field, coupled with the manner in which he conducted himself off it, epitomized what it is to be a Cleveland Brown.  We send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Gatski family.”

Gatski passed away earlier today at the age of 84.  He played 11 seasons for the Browns (1946-56) and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Gatski began his football career as a linebacker with the Browns in 1946 in the All American Football Conference (AAFC).  Gatski moved to center in 1947 and was part of a Browns team that won the AAFC championship four consecutive years (1946-49).  Gatski and the Browns joined the NFL in 1950 and went on to six consecutive championship games, winning three NFL Championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955.

Gatski was a strong, consistent and exceptional pass blocker who never missed a game or practice in high school, college or pro football.  Gatski was named to the All-NFL team four times.  Gatski was born on March 18, 1922 in Farmington, W.V.