NFL Team History- the Cleveland Browns

In 1946, Arthur McBride, also known as Mickey, founded the Cleveland Browns franchise. The Browns claimed all four All-American Football Conference championships before the league became obsolete in 1949.

Following the dissolution of the All-American Football Conference, the Browns were added to the National Football League in 1950. The franchise enjoyed immediate prosperity as they hosted and defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the 1950 NFL Championship Game by a score of 30-28 at their home field, Cleveland Municipal Stadium. The championship was their first NFL Championship, which occurred in their first season in the league. Furthermore, it was their fifth consecutive professional football championship, as they previously won four successive championships in the AAFC. The Cleveland Browns certainly proved that they belonged in professional football's foremost league.

The Browns returned to the NFL Championship Game after posting an exceptional record of 11-1. In the rematch versus the Los Angeles Rams, the Browns would be denied a sixth consecutive professional football championship as they were defeated 24-17.

For the next three seasons, the Browns would face the Detroit Lions in the NFL Championship Game; however, it was not until their third encounter in 1954 when the Browns finally overcame their formidable NFL nemesis. After losses of 17-7 and 17-16 in 1952 and 1953, the Browns routed the Lions 56-10 in their third championship contest.

Continuing to reign supreme, the Browns would crush the Los Angeles Rams 38-14 in the 1955 NFL Championship bout. This was their third NFL Championship, seventh professional football championship, and their 10th championship appearance in all 10 years of the franchise's existence. MVP quarterback Otto Graham would retire from the NFL following the 1955 season.

Otto Graham's retirement sparked a one-year decline for the Cleveland Browns as they underwent their first losing season. They concluded the 1956 NFL season with a disappointing record of 5-7.

A year later, the Browns selected running back Jim Brown out of Syracuse as their first pick in the 1957 NFL draft. Led by the NFL Rookie of the Year, and the NFL's Most Valuable Player, the Browns returned to the NFL Championship showdown against an old foe, the Detroit Lions. The Lions would dismantle the Browns 59-14.

Jim Brown continued to dazzle the Browns fans as he amassed 1,527 yards in 1958.

The glory that was achieved by the Browns in the 1950's was nearly impossible to replicate. In 1960, they posted a record of 8-3-1.

In 1961, Art Modell purchased the Cleveland Browns for roughly 4 million dollars.

The Browns returned to the NFL Championship Game in 1964 as they were matched-up against the Baltimore Colts. By blanking the Colts 27-0, the Browns earned their fourth NFL Championship trophy. A year later, the Browns would fail to defend their championship as they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers 23-12.

Following the 1965 season, the NFL's most dominant player, Jim Brown, announced his retirement from professional football. The announcement caught most of the NFL community by surprise as Brown was only 30 years of age, and was figured to have three or four productive years left in him. The Browns first season in the post-Jim Brown era resulted in a respectable 9-5 record.

From 1967 to 1969, the Browns would earn the Century Division title, nevertheless, they would not return to the NFL Championship Game.

In 1970, the Browns were transferred from the NFL to the American Football Conference. The NFL had exclusively taken over the AFL, and leveled the conferences by realigning the league.

On September 21st, 1970, the Browns hosted the premier Monday night televised game at Municipal Stadium. The Browns would defeat the New York Jets 31-21, and will be forever known as the first team to win the Monday Night showdown.

The 1974 NFL season was humbling one for the Browns as it marked the first time that the franchise lost 10 or more games. The decade of the 1970's produced only two post-season appearances by the Browns.

The Browns returned the playoffs in 1980 for the first time since 1972, only to fall victim to the Oakland Raiders 14-12.

From 1986 to 1989, the Denver Broncos became the sturdy wall that blocked the Browns from their first Super Bowl appearance. In 1986, the Browns hosted the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game; however, they would lose 23-20 in an overtime thriller. A year later, the Browns would come within inches of victory, but a costly goal-line fumble handed the Broncos a 38-33 victory at Mile High Stadium.

In 1989, the Browns were destined to face John Elway and the Denver Broncos for a third time in four years. Unfortunately, the Broncos continued their dominance over the Browns with a 37-21 victory at Mile High Stadium.

The Browns next post-season berth was in 1994. After defeating the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card Game, the Browns were sent home by their divisional rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 1995 season was irrefutably the most insufferable season for football fans in Cleveland. Their worst nightmare came true when Art Modell revealed his objective to relocate the franchise to Baltimore, Maryland.

The Browns won their final game at Municipal Stadium by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-10, putting a cap on their 5-11 season.

The repositioning to Baltimore was incited by Modell's desire for a modernized facility as Municipal Stadium had become outdated. Fans in Cleveland begrudgingly acknowledged that the Browns resources and personnel would move to Baltimore. Conversely, their esteemed history and venerable identity would remain in Cleveland. Cleveland Browns football returned in 1999, and the 'Dog Pound' was back in business.

Modell's new franchise became the Baltimore Ravens.

Cleveland Stadium, which would become the Browns new home field, completed construction in 1998.

The Cleveland Browns named Chris Palmer their head coach.

On September 12th, 1999, a new era for Cleveland Browns commenced at their home field against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns introductory game resulted in a humiliating 43-0 trouncing. Despite finishing the season with a thwarting 2-14 record, fans in Cleveland were elated to have their Browns back on the gridiron.

In 2002, the Browns qualified for their first playoff appearance since 1994, and would face their old nemesis, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the Wild Card Game; however their defense yielded 15 points in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 36-33 loss.

Prior to the 2005 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel as head coach.