Bengals Founder Now Has Most Pro Football Titles

NFL Owners Approve Record Book Change, Recognizing Paul Brown as the Coach with the Most Pro Football Championships

In a groundbreaking move, NFL owners have approved a historic change to the league’s official record books, acknowledging Paul Brown, the legendary founder and first head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, as the coach with the most pro football championships in history. This recognition elevates Brown’s remarkable career accomplishments by including his achievements in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), where he achieved unprecedented success in the late 1940s.

Previously, Brown’s championship record was limited to his three NFL championships with the Cleveland Browns during the 1950s. However, with the new adjustment to the record books, Brown’s accomplishments in the AAFC are now officially recognized. Brown won four consecutive championships in the AAFC between 1946 and 1949, bringing his total championship tally to an astounding seven.

This shift in historical perspective places Brown ahead of other legendary figures such as Bill Belichick, George Halas, and Curly Lambeau, all of whom have won six championships. While Belichick still holds the record for the most Super Bowl titles with six, the updated record now places Brown at the pinnacle of pro football championship success.

Paul Brown’s legacy in the NFL and professional football at large is undeniable. As the innovator behind the Cleveland Browns’ dominant run in the 1950s, he helped reshape the league with his pioneering coaching techniques and emphasis on structure and discipline. Later, as the founder and head coach of the Bengals, Brown’s influence on the game continued, cementing his place as one of the sport’s most influential and revered figures.

This record book change highlights the evolution of the sport’s historical perspective and underscores the importance of recognizing the contributions made by coaches across all eras of professional football. The inclusion of AAFC records serves as a reminder of the league’s rich history and the groundbreaking efforts of those who helped shape it.

While Brown’s seven championships now stand as the highest total for any coach in pro football history, the shift also brings renewed attention to the incredible achievements of coaches like Belichick, Halas, and Lambeau, whose records have defined the modern era of the NFL. For now, though, Paul Brown’s name stands alone at the top, a fitting tribute to a man whose influence on the game remains as impactful today as it was during his time on the sidelines.