 By the time Collier rejoined the Browns , the team was in the throes of a transition . Art Modell had bought the club in 1961 and was locked in a bitter power struggle with Brown . The two men came into conflict over Brown 's autocratic coaching style and his failure to notify Modell about personnel decisions . Without informing Modell , Brown in 1962 traded away star halfback Bobby Mitchell for the right to draft Ernie Davis , a back who won the Heisman Trophy and surpassed Jim Brown 's rushing records at Syracuse University . Davis died of leukemia before he played a down for the Browns . Brown 's relationship with Jim Brown , the team 's star fullback , was another source of tension between Modell and Paul Brown . Jim Brown grew increasingly independent as he rose to fame . He started a weekly radio show , which grated against Paul Brown 's emphasis on discipline and teamwork over individualism . Other players , including quarterback Milt Plum , openly questioned Paul Brown 's coaching and his control over the team 's play @-@ calling . 
