There are two types of receivers on an NFL team.
There are “possession” receivers who catch short passes for first downs.
There are “big play” receivers who catch long passes for significant yards and touchdowns.
Over a 10-year professional football career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders, Frank Pitts was a “big play” receiver.
During his three seasons with Cleveland from 1971 to 1973, Pitts’ “big plays” helped the Browns earn two playoff berths.
@CLE_SPORTS_FANS @GVartwork @VintageBrowns @1970sNFL Frank Pitts made a huge impact when he joined the Cleveland Browns #HappyBirthdayFrankPitts pic.twitter.com/gYslGRCWWx
— MDP Art (@TiaDPitts) November 12, 2019
We take a look at the life of Frank Pitts – before, during, and after his NFL playing career.
The Early Years Through High School
Frank H. Pitts was born on November 12, 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pitts attended S.H. Archer High School in Atlanta.
He was later described in a resolution in the Georgia General Assembly as an “excellent athlete” in high school.
After graduating high school with the S.H. Archer High School class of 1961, Pitts headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to attend Southern University.
College Years
Pitts played football at Southern University from 1961 to 1964.
Southern University (considered an “HBCU” school) then played in the NCAA College Division as part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
While Pitts was there, Southern University posted records of 7-3 in 1961, 5-5 in 1962, 7-3 in 1963, and 4-6 in 1964.
One of Pitts’ big plays in college was when he caught a touchdown pass against rival Grambling State University, helping Southern University to earn a 22-21 victory on September 28, 1963.
Pitts had the nickname, “Mr. Wonderful”, from college.
“Mr. Wonderful was what they called him because he was such a wonderful, well-rounded, great athlete and person.”
After his years at Southern University, Pitts headed to professional football.
The Pro Football Years
1965-1970
Pitts was drafted in the 16th round of the 1965 NFL draft (as the 213th overall pick) by the Chicago Bears.
He was also drafted in the fourth round of the 1965 American Football League (AFL) draft by the Kansas City Chiefs; he was the 32nd overall pick.
Pitts began his professional football career with the Chiefs.
As a rookie in 1965, Pitts saw limited action with the Chiefs, playing in only seven, and not starting any, regular season games.
On September 12, 1965, Pitts caught an 11-yard pass, for his first professional football regular season pass reception, in a 37-10 Kansas City loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Pitts returned four kickoffs for 68 yards and one punt for four yards.
In the 1965 AFL regular season, in addition to the above-described pass reception and punt return, Pitts returned five kickoffs for 100 yards.
The Chiefs had a 7-5-2 record in 1965, but missed the playoffs.
In 1966, Pitts played in all 14, but again did not start any, regular season games.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Frank Pitts #25 holding on to the ball against Boston Patriots pic.twitter.com/HW8oOKot2S
— MDP Art (@TiaDPitts) November 12, 2019
Pitts scored his first professional football regular season touchdown when he returned a blocked punt for 21 yards, in a 27-27 Kansas City tie with the Boston Patriots on November 20, 1966.
He also caught an 11-yard pass.
For the 1966 AFL regular season, in addition to the above-described pass reception, Pitts had 38 return yards on kickoffs.
In 1966, Kansas City, with an 11-2-1 record, won the AFL West Division title.
The Chiefs advanced to the 1966 AFL championship game against the Buffalo Bills on January 1, 1967.
Pitts played in the game, and Kansas City defeated Buffalo 31-7.
The Chiefs next advanced to Super Bowl I against the Green Bay Packers on January 15, 1967.
“I was so flushed and ready to go. We wanted to try to be on top.”
In Super Bowl I, Pitts played in the game. The Chiefs lost to the Packers 35-10.
Pitts played in all 14, and started two, regular season games in 1967.
On October 15, 1967, Pitts scored his first professional football regular season offensive touchdown, on a 15-yard run, in a 45-31 Chiefs loss to the San Diego Chargers.
Pitts rushed for 25 yards on two rushing attempts and caught one pass for 17 yards.
In a 52-9 Kansas City win over the Denver Broncos on October 29, 1967, Pitts caught two passes for 55 yards, including a 46-yard pass reception.
Pitts scored his first professional football regular season pass reception touchdown, on a 59-yard pass from future Pro Football Hall of Fame Kansas City quarterback Len Dawson, in a 44-22 Kansas City loss to the Oakland Raiders on November 23, 1967.
In the 1967 AFL regular season, Pitts, in addition to the above-described pass receptions, rushed for 19 yards and the above-described touchdown on three rushing attempts and had nine return yards on kickoffs.
The Chiefs posted a 9-5 record in 1967, but failed to make the playoffs.
With the Chiefs, Pitts added the nickname, “The Riddler”, for having a similar laugh as the “Riddler” character on the “Batman” television program.
Pitts’ playing time significantly increased in 1968, as he played in 13, and started 10, regular season games.
Pitts caught 30 passes for 655 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 107 yards on 11 rushing attempts, during the 1968 AFL regular season.
He ranked 10th in receiving yards, tied for eighth in receiving touchdowns, third in longest pass reception (90 yards), and second in average yards per pass reception (21.8), in the 1968 AFL regular season.
With a 12-2 record, the Chiefs tied for first place with the Oakland Raiders in the AFL West Division in 1968.
Kansas City then played in a tiebreaker playoff game against the Raiders on December 22, 1968.
Pitts caught five passes for 56 yards, including a 31-yard pass reception, but the Chiefs lost to Oakland 41-6.
In 1969, Pitts started all 14 regular season games.
For the 1969 AFL regular season, Pitts caught 31 passes for 470 yards and the above-described two touchdowns and rushed for 28 yards on five rushing attempts.
Kansas City had an 11-3 record and earned a wildcard playoff berth in 1969.
In their first playoff game in 1969, the Chiefs played the New York Jets on December 20, 1969.
Pitts played in the game, and Kansas City defeated New York 13-6.
The Chiefs advanced to the 1969 AFL championship game against the Oakland Raiders on January 4, 1970.
Pitts caught a 41-yard pass, and Kansas City defeated Oakland 17-7.
The Chiefs then advanced to Super Bowl IV against the Minnesota Vikings on January 11, 1970.
“[Future Pro Football Hall of Fame Kansas City head coach] Hank [Stram] was telling us, ‘well boys we gotta get at it, we’re gonna win this one.’ ”
As much for his rushing as his receiving, Pitts was a key player for the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV.
Old school "choir" huddle of the last @Chiefs team to win the Super Bowl. 1970. Top row: Jim Tyrer, Ed Budde, EJ Holub, Mo Moorman, Dave Hill. Bent over: Frank Pitts, Mike Garrett, Fred Arbanas, Robert Holmes (obscured), Otis Taylor. QB Len Dawson has their full attention. pic.twitter.com/RKn6ngAoYQ
— Mark Hebscher (@Hebsyman) January 31, 2020
In addition to catching three passes for 33 yards, including a 20-yard pass reception, Pitts rushed for 37 yards on three rushing attempts, including a 19-yard run.
The rushing yards all came on “end-around” reverse plays, which took advantage of Pitts’ speed; he had previously been timed at 9.5 seconds for 100 yards.
“Hank Stram was the orchestrator of all that. The name of the play was ’51 Go Reverse.’ Hank had it in his head I was probably one of the quickest ones that could get from one corner to the other corner running that reverse.”
Each of Pitts’ three runs resulted in first downs and two came on Kansas City scoring drives.
Pitts’ play helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV, defeating Minnesota 23-7.
In 1970, Pitts played in 12, and started 10, regular season games.
Frank Pitts@TiaDPitts #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/G0hbjCfc1v
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) June 3, 2021
On September 28, 1970, Pitts scored two touchdowns – on passes of 54 yards and four yards from Len Dawson – in a 44-24 Kansas City victory over the Baltimore Colts.
Pitts caught three passes for 62 yards.
Pitts caught one pass for 17 yards and rushed for 32 yards on one rushing attempt, as the Chiefs defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-19 on October 18, 1970.
In a 26-14 Kansas City win over the San Diego Chargers on November 29, 1970, Pitts caught four passes for 40 yards, including a 16-yard pass reception, and rushed for 42 yards on one rushing attempt.
Pitts caught 11 passes for 172 yards and the above-described two touchdowns and rushed for 84 yards on five rushing attempts, in the 1970 NFL regular season (the AFL merged with and became part of the NFL for the 1970 regular season).
The Chiefs posted a 7-5-2 record in 1970, but missed the playoffs.
1971-1975
On September 8, 1971, the Chiefs traded Pitts to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for two draft picks – a fourth-round selection in the 1972 NFL draft and a third-round selection in the 1973 NFL draft.
In 1971, Pitts (playing at a height of six feet and three inches and at a weight of 199 pounds) played in 13, and started six, regular season games for the Browns.
On September 19, 1971, in his first regular season game with Cleveland, Pitts caught two passes for 26 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown pass from Browns quarterback Mike Phipps, as Cleveland shutout the Houston Oilers 31-0.
Pitts returned four kickoffs for 128 yards and caught one pass for 11 yards, in a 27-0 Browns loss to the Denver Broncos on October 24, 1971.
In his first regular season game starting for the Browns, Pitts caught five passes for 129 yards, including a 39-yard pass reception, in a 13-7 Cleveland loss to Pitts’ old team, the Kansas City Chiefs, on November 14, 1971.
The following week, on November 21, 1971, Pitts caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Cleveland quarterback Bill Nelsen, in a 27-7 Browns win over the New England Patriots.
Frank catches the 🏈 and runs over a #Patriot on his way to the end zone. pic.twitter.com/9yZ5LgDmz4
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) November 12, 2020
Pitts caught four passes for 75 yards.
In the first ever regular season meeting between the two franchises, Leroy Kelly and Frank Pitts supplied the TD's as the #Browns defeated #GoPats 27-7 in Cleveland, Week 10 1971. #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/wItXzSl9c6
— Ken Gelman (@kengfunk) October 27, 2019
In the next game, on November 28, 1971, Pitts caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bill Nelsen, as Cleveland defeated the Houston Oilers 37-24 (for the second win by the Browns over the Oilers in 1971).
Pitts caught three passes for 63 yards, including a 34-yard pass reception.
The following week, on December 5, 1971, Pitts caught five passes for 103 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown pass from Bill Nelsen, in a 31-27 Browns victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the next game, on December 12, 1971, Pitts caught four passes for 50 yards, including a 23-yard pass reception, in a 21-17 Cleveland defeat of the New Orleans Saints.
For the 1971 NFL regular season, Pitts caught 27 passes for 487 yards and the above-described four touchdowns and returned nine kickoffs for 238 yards.
His 18.0 average yards per pass reception ranked tied for 10th in the 1971 NFL regular season.
Cleveland, with a 9-5 record, won the AFC Central Division title in 1971.
Pitts contributed to the Browns offense ranking 10th in points scored (285) and ninth in passing yards (2,299) in the 1971 NFL regular season.
The Browns advanced to a divisional round playoff game against the Baltimore Colts on December 26, 1971.
Pitts started the game, but Cleveland lost to Baltimore 20-3.
In 1972, Pitts essentially became a full-time starter, as he played in all 14, and started 13, regular season games.
Ref calling a touchdown for Browns WR Frank Pitts #25 pic.twitter.com/NiLDXHc0a9
— MDP Art (@TiaDPitts) November 12, 2019
On September 24, 1972, in a 27-17 Cleveland defeat of the Philadelphia Eagles, Pitts caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps.
Pitts caught three passes for 58 yards, including a 24-yard pass reception.
The following week, on October 1, 1972, Pitts caught four passes for 105 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps, in a 27-6 Browns victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pitts caught two passes for 33 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps, in a 23-17 Cleveland win over the Houston Oilers on October 22, 1972.
The following week, on October 29, 1972, in a 27-20 Browns defeat of the Denver Broncos, Pitts caught three passes for 33 yards, including a 15-yard pass reception, and rushed for 16 yards on two rushing attempts, including a 13-yard run.
On November 13, 1972, Pitts scored the game-winning touchdown (with 41 seconds left in the game), on a 38-yard pass from Mike Phipps, in a 21-17 Cleveland win over the San Diego Chargers.
Pitts caught five passes for 96 yards and rushed for 13 yards on one rushing attempt.
The following week, on November 19, 1972, in a 26-24 Browns victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pitts caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps.
Pitts caught three passes for 43 yards, including an 18-yard pass reception.
On December 9, 1972, Pitts caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps, as Cleveland defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 (for the second win by the Browns over the Bengals in 1972).
Pitts caught four passes for 77 yards.
The following week, on December 17, 1972, Pitts scored two touchdowns – on passes of 80 yards and seven yards from Mike Phipps – in a 26-10 Browns win over the New York Jets.
Pitts caught four passes for 98 yards.
Pitts, in addition to the above-described rushing attempts, caught 36 passes for 620 yards and the above-described eight touchdowns in the 1972 NFL regular season.
He ranked tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns and tied for ninth in longest pass reception (80 yards) in the 1972 NFL regular season.
With a 10-4 record, the Browns earned a wildcard playoff berth in 1972.
Cleveland advanced to play the undefeated Miami Dolphins in a playoff game on December 24, 1972.
Pitts started the game, but the Browns lost to Miami 20-14.
Pitts played in 13, and started 12, regular season games in 1973.
In a 24-14 Cleveland victory over the Baltimore Colts on September 16, 1973, Pitts caught four passes for 56 yards, including two touchdowns on passes of 26 yards and eight yards from Mike Phipps.
The following week, on September 23, 1973, Pitts caught two passes for 33 yards, including a 19-yard pass reception, in a 33-6 Browns loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pitts caught three passes for 18 yards, including a three-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps, as Cleveland defeated the Houston Oilers 42-13 on October 21, 1973.
On November 4, 1973, Pitts caught four passes for 36 yards, including a 10-yard pass reception, in a 26-3 Browns loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Pitts caught four passes for 62 yards, including a 19-yard pass reception, in a 7-3 Cleveland win over the Oakland Raiders on November 18, 1973.
In a 20-20 Browns tie with the Kansas City Chiefs on December 2, 1973, Pitts caught four passes for 35 yards, including a 15-yard pass reception.
On December 16, 1973, Pitts caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mike Phipps, in a 30-17 Cleveland loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Pitts caught four passes for 44 yards.
In the 1973 NFL regular season, Pitts caught 31 passes for 317 yards and the above-described four touchdowns.
@VintageBrowns This is Bengals corner Lemar Parrish who thought he had an INT until Frank Pitts “snuck it away” (Pitts’ words) and ran for a 53-yd TD. The Browns won the game 31-27. pic.twitter.com/nlBsWiFKGh
— MDP Art (@TiaDPitts) November 12, 2019
One of my favourite plays, Frank Pitts steals the 🏈 from Parrish, then throws Riley down on his way to a TD.@TiaDPitts @BB_HulkSmash #Browns #HappyBirthdayFrankPitts pic.twitter.com/yZtE5f2nfh
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) November 12, 2020
Cleveland had a 7-5-2 record in 1973, but failed to make the playoffs.
On September 3, 1974, the Browns traded Pitts to the Oakland Raiders for a sixth-round draft pick in the 1975 NFL draft.
With the draft pick, Cleveland would select Henry Hynoski, who played for the Browns in 1975.
In 1974, Pitts played in 13, but did not start any, regular season games for the Raiders.
He caught three passes for 23 yards.
Oakland had a 12-2 record in 1974 and won the AFC West Division title.
In the 1974 NFL playoffs, the Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-26 on December 21, 1974 (Pitts had one reception for five yards), before losing 24-13 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 AFC championship game on December 29, 1974 (Pitts played in the game).
The Raiders waived Pitts on September 10, 1975.
He signed with the Atlanta Falcons on November 12, 1975, but he never played in another NFL regular season game.
The Years After The NFL
Pitts married Diane Guidry Pitts.
They had three children.
Brandon Bolden, currently with the New England Patriots, is Pitts’ grandson.
Pitts resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
He worked as the sergeant-at-arms for the Louisiana State Senate.
In 2017, Southern University honored Pitts as part of a group of Southern University football players as “Southern Football Legends”.
Pitts is now battling Alzheimer’s disease.
In reviewing Pitts’ career with the Browns, it first may appear that Pitts did not have a significant impact, as he played for only three seasons with Cleveland.
However, in fact, Pitts was a significant contributor to the success of the Browns.
Pitts led Cleveland in 1971 in each of receiving touchdowns, longest pass reception (53 yards), and (among players with at least five pass receptions) average yards per pass reception.
In 1972, Pitts led Cleveland in each of pass receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and longest pass reception.
He scored eight of the 13 receiving touchdowns for the Browns in 1972.
Pitts led Cleveland in 1973 in each of pass receptions and receiving touchdowns.
Taking into account that he only played with Cleveland for three seasons, Pitts should be regarded as ranking high in Browns career receiving statistics.
Pitts ranks 58th in Browns career regular season pass receptions (94), tied for 46th in Browns career regular season receiving yards (1,424), tied for 19th in Browns career regular season receiving touchdowns (16), tied for 13th in Browns career regular season longest pass reception (80 yards), and (among players with at least 50 pass receptions) 25th in Browns career regular season average yards per pass reception (15.1).
As a “big play” receiver, it is probably to be expected that Pitts ranks higher in such statistics as receiving touchdowns, longest pass reception, and average yards per pass reception.
There can be no doubt that if Pitts had spent some or all of the seven AFL and NFL seasons that he played with Kansas City and Oakland instead with Cleveland, Pitts would rank much higher in Browns career receiving statistics.
Nevertheless, we should not ignore what Pitts did in the three seasons that he played with Cleveland.
Even if a player was a member of a team for only a few seasons of his entire professional football career, he can still be a valuable team member for his contributions in those seasons.
Pitts helped the Browns win their division in 1971, earn another playoff berth in 1972, and have a winning record in 1973.
For Pitts, helping a team be successful was typical.
In six seasons with the Chiefs, Pitts won a Super Bowl, an AFL championship, four playoff games, and a division title, made the playoffs (including a tiebreaker playoff game) in three seasons, and had a winning record each season.
In one season with Oakland, Pitts won a division title and one playoff game.
Whether playing for the Browns, Chiefs, or Raiders, Pitts never played on a professional football team with a losing record.
Perhaps that is the best way for Browns fans to remember Frank Pitts.
It may have been for only three seasons, but just as he did on the Chiefs and the Raiders, Frank Pitts helped the Cleveland Browns win games.
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