Ernie Kellerman American football player
Ernie James Kellerman (born December 17, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio) was an American football defensive back who played with the National Football League's Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills. Kellerman was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1965 NFL Draft out of Miami (Ohio), where he was a quarterback. Kellerman played football for the St. Peter Chanel High School Firebirds and he was a member of the first graduating class of the school in 1961. He was a three-time all-Mid-American Conference quarterback from 1962-64. He established 14 records and is still Miami's all-time total offensive leader with 3,978 yards. His biggest game passing-wise came against Houston in the Tangerine Bowl in 1962 when he completed 17 of 40 passes for 265 yards. 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. Kellerman did not make the Cowboys squad in 1965, but signed with his hometown Cleveland Browns, making the team in 1966 as a converted defensive back. He played safety for the Browns through through the 1971 season, recording 17 interceptions over those six seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1968; he intercepted six passes that year, his highest season total. His lone NFL touchdown came in 1969 on an interception return. He played for Cincinnnati in 1972 and Buffalo in 1973. Throughout his NFL career, Kellerman wore jersey #24.