Cleveland Browns

Team Information

Franchise History

The Cleveland Browns were founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) by Arthur B. McBride and legendary coach Paul Brown (for whom the team is named). The Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four championships, before joining the NFL in 1950.

Paul Brown Era

Paul Brown brought innovation and excellence to Cleveland, implementing systematic pass patterns, playbooks, film study, and racial integration. The Browns won the NFL championship in their first NFL season (1950).

The Drive and The Fumble (1980s)

The Browns suffered heartbreaking AFC Championship Game losses: - The Drive (1987): John Elway led the Broncos 98 yards to tie - The Fumble (1988): Earnest Byner fumbled at the goal line

Art Modell Move (1996)

In 1995, owner Art Modell announced the move to Baltimore. The NFL allowed the move but required the Browns name, colors, and history to remain in Cleveland. The Browns suspended operations 1996-1998 and returned in 1999.

Current Status

The Browns compete in the AFC North. The team has struggled since returning in 1999 but showed promise in the 2020s.

Ownership History

Management

• General Manager: Andrew Berry
• Head Coach: Kevin Stefanski
• Team President: Paul DePodesta

Historical Significance

• 4 AAFC Championships (1946-1949)
• 4 NFL Championships (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964)
• 11 Conference Championships
• The Drive and The Fumble
• 1996-1998 franchise suspension
• Jim Brown: considered greatest football player ever

Team Identity

The Browns are named after Paul Brown. The team represents Cleveland’s working-class heritage.

Cleveland Browns History

The AAFC Dynasty (1946-1949)

Paul Brown’s Vision

Paul Brown founded the Cleveland Browns in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The team was named after its founder and coach.

Four Straight Championships

The Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four championships: - 1946: Defeated New York Yankees 14-9 - 1947: Defeated New York Yankees 14-3 - 1948: Defeated Buffalo Bills 49-7 (perfect 15-0 season) - 1949: Defeated San Francisco 49ers 21-7

Key Players: - Otto Graham (quarterback) - Marion Motley (fullback) - Bill Willis (guard) - Lou Groza (kicker/tackle) - Dante Lavelli (end) - Mac Speedie (end)

Joining the NFL (1950)

Championship in First NFL Season

The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 along with the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts. They won the NFL Championship in their first season, defeating the Los Angeles Rams 30-28.

The Comeback: The Browns trailed 28-27 late in the fourth quarter when Lou Groza kicked a 16-yard field goal with 28 seconds remaining.

The 1950s Dynasty

Multiple Championships

The Browns appeared in six consecutive NFL championship games (1950-1955), winning three: - 1950: Defeated Rams 30-28 - 1954: Defeated Detroit Lions 56-10 - 1955: Defeated Los Angeles Rams 38-14

Key Players of the 1950s: - Otto Graham (7 championships in 10 seasons) - Jim Brown (joined 1957) - Lou Groza - Dante Lavelli - Ray Renfro

The Jim Brown Era (1957-1965)

The Greatest Player Ever?

Jim Brown joined the Browns in 1957 and immediately transformed the franchise. He retired in 1965 as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and is still widely considered the greatest football player ever.

Jim Brown’s Career: - 12,312 rushing yards (retired as NFL record) - 106 rushing touchdowns - 9 Pro Bowls in 9 seasons - 3 NFL MVPs (1957, 1958, 1965) - Retired at peak of career to pursue acting

1964 NFL Champions

The Browns won their last championship before the Super Bowl era in 1964, defeating the Baltimore Colts 27-0.

Key Players: - Jim Brown (his final championship) - Frank Ryan (quarterback) - Gary Collins (receiver, 3 TDs in championship) - Jim Kanicki (defensive tackle)

The Kardiac Kids (1980)

Heart-Stopping Season

The 1980 Browns, nicknamed the “Kardiac Kids” for their close games, won the AFC Central but lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Oakland Raiders in the playoffs.

The Drive: January 11, 1987 In the AFC Championship Game, John Elway led the Denver Broncos on a 98-yard game-tying drive in the final minutes. The Broncos won in overtime 23-20.

The Fumble (1988)

Another Heartbreak

On January 17, 1988, in the AFC Championship Game against Denver, running back Earnest Byner fumbled at the goal line with the Browns trailing by 7. The Broncos recovered and won 38-33.

The Move (1995-1996)

Art Modell’s Betrayal

On November 6, 1995, owner Art Modell announced he was moving the franchise to Baltimore. Cleveland fans were devastated.

The Settlement

After legal battles, the NFL agreed to: - Allow the move to Baltimore (Ravens) - Keep the Browns name, colors, and history in Cleveland - Award Cleveland an expansion franchise for 1999 - Treat the Ravens as an expansion team

The Browns suspended operations from 1996-1998 and returned in 1999 as an expansion team with the same history.

The Return (1999-Present)

Expansion Era Struggles

Since returning in 1999, the Browns have struggled to find consistent success. The team has had: - Multiple coaching changes - Quarterback instability - Front office turnover

The 2020s Resurgence

Under head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Browns showed promise in the 2020s, reaching the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2002.

Key Players: - Baker Mayfield (quarterback, 2018-2021) - Nick Chubb (running back) - Myles Garrett (defensive end) - Denzel Ward (cornerback)

Franchise Timeline

Cleveland Browns Championships

AAFC Championships (1946-1949)

The Browns won all four AAFC championships during the league’s existence.

1946 AAFC Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 12-2
Championship Game: Browns 14, New York Yankees 9

1947 AAFC Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 12-1-1
Championship Game: Browns 14, New York Yankees 3

1948 AAFC Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 14-0 (perfect season)
Championship Game: Browns 49, Buffalo Bills 7

The 1948 Browns remain the only professional football team to complete a perfect season (including postseason).

1949 AAFC Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 9-1-2
Championship Game: Browns 21, San Francisco 49ers 7

NFL Championships

1950 NFL Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 10-2
Championship Game: Browns 30, Los Angeles Rams 28

The Browns won the NFL championship in their first NFL season. Lou Groza’s 16-yard field goal with 28 seconds left won the game.

1954 NFL Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 9-3
Championship Game: Browns 56, Detroit Lions 10

Otto Graham threw 3 touchdown passes and ran for 3 more.

1955 NFL Champions

Coach: Paul Brown
Record: 9-2-1
Championship Game: Browns 38, Los Angeles Rams 14

1964 NFL Champions

Coach: Blanton Collier
Record: 10-3-1
Championship Game: Browns 27, Baltimore Colts 0

Frank Ryan threw 3 touchdown passes to Gary Collins. This was the last Browns championship to date.

Conference Championships

The Browns have won 11 conference championships: - 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969

Division Championships

The Browns have won 13 division championships in various divisions throughout their history.

The Drought

The Browns have not won a championship since 1964 (over 60 years), one of the longest droughts in professional sports.

Cleveland Browns Team Records

Single Season Records

Best Regular Season Records

Career Records

Career Passing

Career Rushing

Career Receiving

Retired Numbers

Streaks

Losing Streaks

• Playoff Win Drought: Since 1994 (over 30 years)

Cleveland Browns Legendary Players

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Jim Brown (1971)

Position: Fullback
Years: 1957-1965

Jim Brown is widely considered the greatest football player of all time.

Career Stats: - Rushing Yards: 12,312 - Rushing Touchdowns: 106 - Yards per carry: 5.2 - 9 Pro Bowls in 9 seasons

Accolades: - 3x NFL MVP (1957, 1958, 1965) - 8x First-Team All-Pro - 1964 NFL champion

Brown retired at age 30 at the peak of his career to pursue acting.

Otto Graham (1965)

Position: Quarterback
Years: 1946-1955

Graham led the Browns to 10 consecutive championship games, winning 7.

Accolades: - 3x NFL MVP - 7 championships (4 AAFC, 3 NFL) - 5x Pro Bowl

Lou Groza (1974)

Position: Kicker/Tackle
Years: 1946-1959, 1961-1967

“The Toe” was a pioneering placekicker who also played offensive line.

Paul Warfield (1983)

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 1964-1969, 1976-1977

Warfield was a dynamic deep threat.

Leroy Kelly (1994)

Position: Running Back
Years: 1964-1973

Kelly succeeded Jim Brown and was a Hall of Fame player in his own right.

Ozzie Newsome (1999)

Position: Tight End
Years: 1978-1990

Newsome became a Hall of Famer and legendary GM with the Ravens.

Other Hall of Famers

• Bill Willis (1977)
• Marion Motley (1968)
• Dante Lavelli (1975)
• Len Ford (1976)
• Frank Gatski (1985)
• Gene Hickerson (2007)
• Joe DeLamielleure (2003)

Franchise Icons

Bernie Kosar

Position: Quarterback
Years: 1985-1993

Kosar was the beloved quarterback of the 1980s teams that suffered The Drive and The Fumble.

Brian Sipe

Position: Quarterback
Years: 1974-1983

Sipe won the 1980 NFL MVP and led the Kardiac Kids.

Nick Chubb

Position: Running Back
Years: 2018-Present

Chubb is the current star running back and one of the best in the NFL.

Myles Garrett

Position: Defensive End
Years: 2017-Present

Garrett was the first overall pick in 2017 and has become an elite pass rusher.

Clay Matthews

Position: Linebacker
Years: 1978-1993

Matthews played 19 seasons with the Browns and was a consistent performer.

Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield

Position: Cornerbacks
Years: 1981-1993

The duo formed one of the best cornerback tandems in NFL history.

Earnest Byner

Position: Running Back
Years: 1984-1988, 1995-1996

Byner was a talented back who is remembered for “The Fumble” in the 1988 AFC Championship.

Kevin Mack

Position: Running Back
Years: 1985-1993

Mack was a powerful runner who formed a great duo with Byner.

Gary Collins

Position: Wide Receiver
Years: 1962-1971

Collins caught 3 touchdown passes in the 1964 championship game.

Cleveland Browns Rivalries

Primary Rivalries

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are the Browns’ most heated rival, with intense games dating back decades.

Key Moments: - Playoff matchups - AFC North division battles - Physical, hard-hitting games

Baltimore Ravens

The rivalry is fueled by the Ravens originating from the original Browns franchise.

Cincinnati Bengals

Paul Brown founded both teams, creating a unique connection.

Historic Rivalries

Denver Broncos

The Broncos ended the Browns’ championship hopes in the 1980s: - The Drive (1987) - The Fumble (1988)

Rivalry Statistics

vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Long-standing rivalry
• Steelers have dominated in recent decades

vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Origins in the move controversy
• Intense divisional matchups

vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• Battle of Ohio
• Paul Brown connection

Cleveland Browns Stadium History

Huntington Bank Field (1999-Present)

Overview

Huntington Bank Field (formerly FirstEnergy Stadium and Cleveland Browns Stadium) has been the Browns’ home since their 1999 return.

Address: 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Naming History

Features

• Capacity: 67,895
• Opening: September 12, 1999
• Cost: $283 million

The stadium was built on the site of Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

Cleveland Municipal Stadium (1946-1995)

The Browns played at Cleveland Municipal Stadium from their inception through 1995.

Capacity: Approximately 81,000

Characteristics

• Located on the shores of Lake Erie
• Also home to Cleveland Indians
• Site of all Browns championships

Final Game

December 17, 1995: Browns defeated Cincinnati Bengals in the final game before the move to Baltimore.

Stadium Comparison

Cleveland Browns Fanbase and Culture

Fanbase Demographics

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

The Browns draw from Cleveland and the surrounding region, including Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.

The Dawg Pound

The Dawg Pound is the most famous section in Huntington Bank Field, known for passionate, vocal fans wearing dog masks.

Origin: The Dawg Pound was created in 1985 by cornerback Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield, who called themselves the “Dawgs.”

Traditions

The Drive and The Fumble

The heartbreaking losses to Denver in the 1980s remain part of Browns lore.

The Return

The 1999 return of the franchise was celebrated throughout Cleveland.

“Here We Go Brownies”

The fight song is sung by fans at games.

Media

Television

• CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC: National broadcasts

Radio

• 92.3 The Fan (WKRK): Flagship station
• Jim Donovan: Legendary play-by-play announcer

Community

Browns Give Back

• Youth football programs
• Community outreach
• Charitable initiatives

Rivalry Culture

Pittsburgh Rivalry

The Steelers-Browns rivalry is one of the most physical in the NFL.

Baltimore Rivalry

The connection to the original franchise makes Ravens games emotionally charged.

The Expansion Era

Since 1999, Browns fans have remained loyal despite: - No championships - Playoff droughts - Quarterback instability - Coaching changes

The loyalty of Browns fans is legendary in NFL circles.