 Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Pashure pokupedza kudzidza paKentucky muna 1949, Phelps akasarudzwa neCleveland Browns yeNational Football League NFL mumutambo wechitanhatu we1950 draft. MaBrown akanga achangobva kubatana neNFL pashure pemakore mana uye makwikwi mana muAll-America Football Conference yakanga isisipo. Vanotungamirirwa nequarterback Otto Graham uye fullback Marion Motley, maBrown akapedza mwaka wa1950 aine 102 rekodhi uye akakunda mukwikwidzi weNFLpamusoro peLos Angeles Rams. Phelps akashandiswa zvikurukuru pa kickoffs uye punts, achinyoresa 499 yards dzokudzoka dzose uye imwe punt kudzoka nokuda kwekubata muna 1950. Akanga anewo mamita 198 okudonha nokukurumidza uye kukurumidza kugumisa. 