The Browns have owned the hearts of Northeast Ohio—in good times and bad, for better and for worse – for 75 years.
The passion for this hard-working, smash mouth football team is no surprise to anyone who hails from this blue-collar town, where football on Sunday is not only an event, it’s a way of life. Take a look at what it means to be a Cleveland football fan, and some of the milestones that mark our storied team’s history.
1946-49
Mining homegrown talent, Ohio native Paul Brown assembles a dream team that dominates the All-American Football Conference, winning the title every year of the league’s existence and going undefeated in 1948.
1950-55
Regarded as coming from an inferior league, the Browns made themselves right at home in the NFL. Led by Otto Graham (now immortalized with a statue at FirstEnergy Stadium) the Browns played in six straight championships, winning three.
1964
Quarterback Frank Ryan throws three touchdowns to Gary Collins—all in the second half—to beat the heavily favored Colts, 27-0 in the NFL Championship Game.
1986-89
The Browns make four straight playoff appearances, but are thwarted in three AFC Championship Games, each time by John Elway and the Broncos. Enter “The Drive” and “The Fumble,” plays that will forever live in Cleveland sports infamy.
1995
Heartbreak reigns as Cleveland Municipal Stadium—the only home the Browns have ever known—hosts its last NFL game. After 50 years in Cleveland, the Browns move to Baltimore to become the Ravens.
1999-2021
In an unprecedented agreement, the Browns’ name, colors and history remain in Cleveland, given to an expansion team that returns football to its rightful place in 1999. Fast forward to 2021 (mercifully), when the team earned its first playoff win in 26 years.
After more than two decades, the Browns we all remembered are finally back.