NFL Team History- Baltimore Ravens

After the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1984, the city of Baltimore, Maryland no longer boasted a professional football franchise. This was a huge hit to the city that once adored their National Football League team. Since 1946, when the Miami Seahawks of the All-American Football Conference moved to Baltimore, the city was accustomed to the idea of having a pro football organization in their hometown.

After the Baltimore Colts were approved to enter the National Football League in 1950, they would commence to becoming one of the NFL's most storied organizations. So it came as no surprise that the city was devastated by the repositioning to Indianapolis. However, in the mid-1990's, Baltimore football fans received their wish.

On November 11th, 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell announced his intentions to transfer the beloved franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore. The fans in Cleveland, Ohio, who zealously supported the Browns for decades, were forced to undergo the same heartbreak that the fans in Baltimore suffered nearly a decade before.

However, the void that was present in Baltimore for over a decade had finally been filled.

As a result of the public disdain from fans in Cleveland, the Baltimore franchise developed their own identity, separating themselves from the venerable tradition that was the Cleveland Browns. They became known as the Baltimore Ravens.

Just six weeks prior, Ted Marchibroda was selected as the head coach.

The NFL granted the Baltimore Ravens the fourth overall draft pick in the 1996 draft. They utilized their early selection by drafting offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden out of UCLA. Their following pick was Ray Lewis, a linebacker out of Miami. Lewis has emerged into one of the most dominant players at the linebacker position.

The city of Baltimore fervently showed their appreciation for their new franchise as it was documented that over 50,000 tickets were sold in a span of only two weeks.

On September 1st, 1996, the Ravens defeated the Oakland Raiders 19-14 in their first ever regular season game. The first Baltimore Ravens regular season game was held at Memorial Stadium in front of a crowd of 64,124 fans, as they were matched-up against the Oakland Raiders. In storybook fashion, the Ravens upset the Oakland Raiders 19-14 in front of what was reported to be the largest audience for a sporting event held in the city of Baltimore.

The Ravens inaugural season was highlighted by the fact that they sold out all of their home games despite ending the season with a losing record of 4 wins and 12 losses.

Veteran quarterback Vinny Testaverde was selected to play in the NFL Pro Bowl, making him the first player to represent the Baltimore Ravens in NFL's version of the All-Star game.

In 1998, the Ravens moved from the old grounds of Memorial Stadium to the modernized stadium of Camden Yards.

Later that season, the Ravens would host the Indianapolis Colts, the former Baltimore franchise. The game was highly anticipated by the Baltimore crowd as they were looking to seek retribution against the very same franchise that had abandoned them fourteen years earlier. The Ravens would dazzle the home crowed with a gratifying victory. They defeated the Colts 38-31.

In 1999, the Ravens hired Brian Billick as the team's new head coach.

By demolishing the San Diego Chargers by a score or 24-3 on December 10th, 2000, the Ravens clinched their first playoff berth. The Ravens finished the 2000 regular season with an uplifting record of 12 wins and 4 losses.

The Ravens hosted the first playoff game in Baltimore since 1977 as the Denver Broncos came to town. The Ravens continued their magnificent season by trouncing the Broncos 21-3.

The win versus the Broncos set up a match-up against their divisional rival Tennessee Titans. The Ravens advanced to the AFC Championship Game in Oakland to play the Raiders after a 24-10 victory over the Titans.

The Ravens stifling defense controlled the Raiders high-powered offense by winning the AFC Championship Game by a score of 16-3.

The Ravens had earned the privilege to appear on NFL's Grand Stage, the Super Bowl. On January 28th, 2001, the Ravens would go head-to-head against the favored New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The underdog Ravens made a resounding statement by crushing the Giants 34-7. Yes, Super Bowl XXXV belonged to the city of Baltimore. Linebacker Ray Lewis was named as the Super Bowl MVP.

Since their Super Bowl triumph, the Ravens qualified for the post-season in 2001, 2003, and 2006.

On January 13th, 2002, the Ravens won their fifth consecutive post-season game by handing the Miami Dolphins a 20-3 defeat. A week later, their playoff winning streak was halted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as they were upended by a score of 27-10.

On December 26th, 2003, owner Art Modell was named to the Ravens Ring of Honor at M&T Bank Stadium on December 26th, 2003.

Steve Bisciotti became majority owner of the Baltimore Ravens in April of 2004. In 2000, Biscotti had purchased 49% of the franchise.