|
Cleveland Browns Team History
Arthur “Mickey” McBride, a wealthy businessman with a love of football who at the time was the city of Cleveland’s only taxi fleet owner, founded the Cleveland Browns to play in 1945 as part of the new All-America Football Conference. Helmed by former Ohio State Buckeyes coaching star Paul Brown, the Browns tore through the new league, winning four straight championships including an undefeated season in 1948. The Browns dismantling of the AAFC resulted in its dissolution, and in 1950 the NFL poached three of the AAFC teams, including the Browns.
The Browns, with starts like quarterback Otto Graham and fullback Marion Motley, quickly proved they belonged. They destroyed the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles 35-10 in their first game and beat the Los Angeles (formerly Cleveland) Rams 30-28 to win the NFL championship. The Browns went on to appear in the NFL Championship every year until 1955, winning three of them.
It must have seemed like fate when Jim Brown became available in 1957. The Browns drafted the tough running back from Syracuse who went on to set major rushing records which would stand for years. Even today Brown is regarded as one of the best rushers of all time.
In 1961 Art Modell bought the team. A hands-on manager, he frequently clashed with coach Brown and in 1962 replaced him with Blanton Collier. Collier led the team to an NFL Championship in 1964. For Browns fans this is a bittersweet memory as it was to be the last NFL Championship title they would attain.
The ‘70s were extremely unkind to the Cleveland Browns, who racked up several losing seasons, however, in 1980, the “Kardiac Kids” so named for their late game comebacks, posted an 11-5 season and lost in the playoffs to the eventual Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders.
In 1985 the Browns drafted quarterback Bernie Kosar from the University of Miami. Kosar’s skilled play brought Cleveland into the playoffs immediately, and in 1986 put up a 12-4 record. It looked like their run would end against the New York Jets in the divisional playoff. The Jets, who backed into the playoffs after following a 10-1 start with five straight losses, had a 20-10 advantage with time running out, but Cleveland managed to score a touchdown and a last second field goal to send the game into overtime. Another field goal from Mark Moseley in double OT sent the Browns to the championship game in 1986 where they would become part of history. The Browns led the Denver Broncos by a touchdown with about five minutes to play and the Broncos pinned down at their own 2. John Elway’s masterful 98 yard touchdown drive (known now throughout NFL history simply as “The Drive”) resulted in overtime and an eventual victory for the Broncos.
In 1988, the Browns and Broncos met in the playoffs again. This time it was “the Fumble” that did them in, as Earnest Byner lost the ball on the Broncos 8 yard line with the score tied and about a minute left in the game.
1991 Saw Bill Belichick take over the reigns as head coach of the Browns. Although Belichick would one day be heralded as one of the great coaches of all-time, he had some growing pains with Cleveland, starting out with three consecutive losing seasons.
In 1995, Art Modell announced plans to move the team to Baltimore. This caused great consternation among the Cleveland faithful and a legal battle ensued, with the result being that Modell would have to adopt a new name for his team and leave the franchise name and history of the Browns in Cleveland. Modell’s team became the Baltimore Ravens, and a new Cleveland Browns team emerged in 1999 and continues to draw the Cleveland faithful to this day.
Cleveland Browns Memorable Moments
December 4, 1950
The Cleveland Browns defeat the Los Angeles Rams 30-28 to win the NFL championship over their former city rivals in their first NFL season ever.
April 1957
Jim Brown is drafted by the Cleveland Browns. He would become one of the greatest running backs in history
1961
Art Modell buys the Cleveland Browns for four million dollars.
January 9, 1963
Modell fires legendary coach Paul Brown, replacing him with Blanton Collier.
December 27, 1964
The Cleveland Browns win their last NFL title, over the Baltimore Colts 27-0.
January 11, 1987
Cleveland falls victim to “The Drive,” losing the AFC Championship game 23-20 in overtime due to John Elway’s late game heroics.
November 6, 1995
Modell announces he will move the team to Baltimore.
September 12, 1999
The new Cleveland Browns make their debut. Cleveland Browns Records
All-time regular season franchise record: 421 - 358 - 10
All-time playoff franchise record: 11 - 20
All-time franchise passing leader: Brian Sipe - 23713 yards
All-time franchise rushing leader: Jim Brown - 12312 yards
All-time franchise receiving leader: Ozzie Newsome - 7980 yards
Cleveland Browns Playoff Results 2002
AFC Wildcard Game: lost 33 - 36 at Pittsburgh Steelers
1994
AFC Wildcard Game: won 20 - 13 vs. New England Patriots
AFC Divisional Playoff: lost 9 - 29 at Pittsburgh Steelers
1989
AFC Divisional Playoff: won 34 - 30 vs. Buffalo Bills
AFC Championship Game: lost 21 - 37 at Denver Broncos
1988
AFC Wildcard Game: lost 23 - 24 vs. Houston Oilers
1987
AFC Divisional Playoff: won 38 - 21 vs. Indianapolis Colts
AFC Championship Game: lost 33 - 38 at Denver Broncos
1986
AFC Divisional Playoff: won 23 - 20 vs. New York Jets
AFC Championship Game: lost 20 - 23 vs. Denver Broncos
1985
AFC Divisional Playoff: lost 21 - 24 at Miami Dolphins
1982
AFC Wildcard Game: lost 10 - 27 at Los Angeles Raiders
1980
AFC Divisional Playoff: lost 12 - 14 vs. Oakland Raiders
1972
AFC Divisional Playoff: lost 14 - 20 at Miami Dolphins
1971
AFC Divisional Playoff: lost 3 - 20 vs. Baltimore Colts
1969
NFL Divisional Playoff: won 38 - 14 at Dallas Cowboys
NFL Championship Game: lost 7 - 27 at Minnesota Vikings
1968
NFL Divisional Playoff: won 31 - 20 vs. Dallas Cowboys
NFL Championship Game: lost 0 - 34 vs. Baltimore Colts
1967
NFL Divisional Playoff: lost 14 - 52 at Dallas Cowboys
1965
NFL Championship Game: lost 12 - 23 at Green Bay Packers
1964
NFL Championship Game: won 27 - 0 vs. Baltimore Colts
1958
NFL Divisional Playoff: lost 0 - 10 at New York Giants
1957
NFL Championship Game: lost 14 - 59 at Detroit Lions
1955
NFL Championship Game: won 38 - 14 at Los Angeles Rams
1954
NFL Championship Game: won 56 - 10 vs. Detroit Lions
1953
NFL Championship Game: lost 16 - 17 at Detroit Lions
1952
NFL Championship Game: lost 7 - 17 vs. Detroit Lions
1951
NFL Championship Game: lost 17 - 24 at Los Angeles Rams
1950
NFL Divisional Playoff: won 8 - 3 vs. New York Giants
NFL Championship Game: won 30 - 28 vs. Los Angeles Rams
All-time playoff record: 11 - 20
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference |
Cleveland Browns HISTORY 
