Muscogee County School Board to Vote on Naming Odis Spencer Stadium Field in Honor of NFL Great Ernie Green

A Columbus native who rose from the football fields of Spencer High School to become an NFL champion, successful businessman and community advocate could soon receive another honor in his hometown.

The Muscogee County School District Board is scheduled to vote Oct. 19 on a recommendation to name the field and fieldhouse at Odis Spencer Stadium in honor of Ernest E. "Ernie" Green, a 1958 Spencer High School graduate and former Cleveland Browns running back.

The recommendation comes from Superintendent David Lewis and district Athletics Director Kendall Mills. The board is expected to consider the proposal during its monthly meeting at 6 p.m.

If approved, the naming would recognize Green's accomplishments in professional athletics, business and public service while celebrating his enduring connection to Spencer High School and the Columbus community.

From Spencer High School to NFL Stardom

Born Oct. 15, 1938, in Columbus, Green distinguished himself early as both a scholar and an athlete.

At Spencer High School, he was a standout running back for the Greenwave football team, served as senior class president and earned membership in the National Honor Society.

His athletic ability earned him an opportunity to attend the University of Louisville, where he played football from 1958 to 1961. During his collegiate career, Green rushed for more than 1,500 yards, twice led the Cardinals in rushing and earned All-America recognition. He also excelled in baseball but chose to pursue a career in professional football.

In 1962, the Green Bay Packers selected Green in the 14th round of the NFL draft. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns during training camp, beginning a seven-year professional career that would establish him among the league's notable running backs of the 1960s.

Green became an important part of Cleveland's offense, sharing the backfield with legendary Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.

During the 1963 season, Green rushed for 526 yards and caught 28 passes while helping create running opportunities for Brown, who set a then-NFL record with 1,863 rushing yards.

The following season, Green helped Cleveland capture the 1964 NFL championship with a 27-0 victory over the Baltimore Colts.

After Brown retired in 1966, Green moved from halfback to fullback and joined future Hall of Famer Leroy Kelly in the Browns' backfield.

Green earned consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 1966 and 1967 and was twice recognized as an NFL All-Pro.

A knee injury sustained during the 1968 preseason ultimately brought his playing career to an end. He retired after seven seasons with 3,204 rushing yards and 179 receptions.

Following his retirement, Green remained with the Browns as a running backs coach.

Success Beyond the Football Field

Green's accomplishments extended well beyond professional sports.

From 1970 to 1974, he served as assistant vice president for student affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He later joined International Management Group, where he served as executive director and vice president of its team sports division from 1974 to 1981.

In 1981, Green established EG Industries, a manufacturing company that initially produced components for the automotive industry.

The business later expanded into manufacturing products for the medical, consumer, energy and industrial sectors.

Green also served on corporate boards, including Eaton Corp., Dayton Power & Light and Duriron Co., establishing himself as a respected business leader.

His professional achievements reflected the same determination and discipline that helped carry him from Columbus to the highest levels of professional football.

A Champion in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Green's life also took an unexpected turn in July 2005 when he was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease often associated with women but one that also affects men.

After undergoing a mastectomy in September 2005 and completing chemotherapy in March 2006, Green became an advocate for breast cancer awareness, particularly among men.

His advocacy carried personal significance. Two of his older sisters had also been diagnosed with breast cancer, and one died from the disease.

Through his willingness to speak publicly about his experience, Green helped raise awareness about the importance of early detection and the need for men to recognize their own risks.

Honoring a Spencer High School Legend

Green's achievements have earned recognition throughout his lifetime.

In 2017, he was inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to professional football.

On Jan. 20, 2018, Spencer High School honored Green by retiring his football jersey number, making him the first Greenwave player to receive that distinction.

The proposed naming of the field and fieldhouse at Odis Spencer Stadium would provide another lasting tribute to one of the school's most accomplished graduates.

For generations of Spencer High School students, Green's journey represents more than athletic excellence. His story illustrates how education, perseverance, discipline and opportunity can open doors far beyond the community where a person's dreams begin.

From a standout student-athlete in Columbus to an NFL champion, corporate executive and cancer awareness advocate, Green has built a legacy that extends across multiple fields of achievement.

If the school board approves the recommendation Oct. 19, future generations of Greenwave athletes will compete on a field bearing the name of a man who once wore the same school colors and went on to achieve national recognition.

For Spencer High School and the Columbus community, the proposed honor would serve as a lasting reminder that greatness can begin right here at home.