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Paul Brown*

     Paul Brown* is listed in the American Football League Hall of Fame under protest.  His induction to the "pro football" hall of fame was due to his coaching and ownership of the NFL's Cleveland Browns.  Further, he was inducted to the "pro football" hall of fame before he founded the Bengals, so his presence in the AFL Hall is arguable.  He is included only to remain consistent with the American Football League Hall of Fame policy of including AFLers who are also in the "pro football" hall of fame.
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    Brown* was the founder, owner, and head coach of the AFL's final expansion team, the Cincinnati Bengals.  However, he had only contempt for the AFL, as indicated at the AFL-NFL merger talks, when he said: "I didn't pay ten million dollars to be in the AFL."  He then resisted Al Davis and other AFL owners who wanted to keep the AFL's name, logo, and identity, and insisted that the merged leagues be called the NFL.  For those actions, Paul Brown* will forever be relegated to the "AFL Hall of Infamy".

Tex Maule

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