Established
1946
City
Cleveland
League History
1950 - Present / National Football League
1946 - 1949 / All-America Football Conference
Team History
1946 - Present / Cleveland Browns
Nickname
Browns - The Cleveland Browns are one of the most storied franchises in professional football. With a history that dates back to 1946, they have been part of some iconic moments and earned an impressive list of accolades over the decades. But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story? Let’s take a look at how it came about!
It all started when original owner Arthur B McBride decided he wanted his team to be called something other than “Cleveland Indians” or “Cleveland Bulldogs,” two popular names for local teams at the time. He chose instead to honor his favorite coach from his college days: Paul Brown. Henceforth, they would be known as The Cleveland Browns!
Cleveland Browns Origin
The name quickly caught on with fans across Ohio and around the nation who embraced it as their own – so much so that even after Brown left in 1962 (Blanton Collier replaced him), nobody suggested changing it again! This is why today we still refer to them simply as The Browns despite having had several different head coaches since then, including Bill Belichick and Mike Holmgren.
In addition, there is also speculation surrounding another possible source for this nickname: boxing legend Joe Louis (also known affectionately as "the brown bomber"). Some historians believe that McBride may have taken inspiration from him, too, when deciding what moniker best suited his new franchise - although nothing can ever be confirmed definitively on this point...
No matter its origins, though, one thing remains certain; The Cleveland Browns will always remain synonymous with success no matter what happens next season or beyond – making them one team every NFL fan should keep tabs on year-round!
Championship
Super Bowl 0
NFL Championships 4
1964, 1955, 1954, 1950
All-America Football Conference Championships 4
1949, 1948, 1947, 1946
Stadium
2013 - Present / FirstEnergy Stadium
1999 - 2013 / Cleveland Browns Stadium
1946 - 1995 / Cleveland Municipal Stadium
Owner
2012 - Present / Jimmy Haslam
2002 - 2012 / Randy Lerner
1998 - 2002 / Al Lerner
1996 - 1998 / Cleveland Browns Trust (Operations suspended)
1961 - 1995 / Art Modell
1953 - 1961 / David Jones
1946 - 1953 / Arthur B. "Mickey" McBride
- 1946
- 1961
- 1995
- 1996 - 1999
- 1999
- 2012
-
Cleveland Browns Team Formation
The Browns’ origins date to 1944 when taxicab magnate Arthur B. “Mickey” McBride secured the rights to a Cleveland franchise in the newly formed All-America Football Conference. The AAFC was to compete with the dominant National Football League once it began operations at the end of World War II, which had forced many professional teams to curtail activity, merge or ... -
New Owner Art Modell
Art Modell, a 35-year-old advertising executive from Brooklyn, purchased the team in 1961 from a group of shareholders led by National Insurance Company. The beginnings of a power struggle between Paul Brown and Art Modell took their toll. Journalist D.L. Stewart recounted in Jeff Miller’s book on the AFL, Going Long, “As you well can imagine, Jimmy Brown and Paul ... -
Modell Announces Move to Baltimore
Modell announced on November 6, 1995, that he had signed a deal to relocate the Browns to Baltimore in 1996 a move which would return the NFL to Baltimore for the first time since the Colts relocated to Indianapolis after the 1983 season. The very next day, on November 7, 1995, Cleveland voters overwhelmingly approved an issue that had been ... -
Deactivated for Three Years
In February 1996, the NFL announced that the Browns would be ‘deactivated’ for three years and that a new stadium would be built for a new Browns team, as either an expansion team or a team moved from another city, that would begin to play in 1999. Modell would in turn be granted a new franchise, the NFL’s 31st, for ... -
Lerner Family Ownership
Cleveland returned to the NFL in 1999 with high hopes and expectations, featuring deep-pocketed ownership in Al Lerner. When his father, Al Lerner, died in October 2002 – four years to the day after he was awarded the new Browns franchise – the ownership of the team passed on to Randy Lerner. Randy Lerner served as a member of the ... -
Haslam Ownership
In July 2012, owner Randy Lerner announced that he planned to sell the Browns to businessman Jimmy Haslam. The sale was finalized on August 2, 2012, in excess of $1 Billion (USD). Haslam officially was approved as the new owner on October 16, 2012, at the NFL owners’ meetings, and the very next day former Eagles president Joe Banner was ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Jim Brown Player History: The Legend Unveiled!
This video explores Jim Brown's unmatched greatness and dominance. Known for his powerful running style and unparalleled athleticism, Jim Brown revolutionized the game and set records that still stand today. Join us as we delve into the untold stories.
Cleveland Browns History
The Cleveland Browns, home to the NFL Greatest Player Jim Brown, have been a staple in the National Football League since 1946. As one of the original eight teams to join the NFL, they have had an illustrious history of successes and failures. From legendary players like Jim Brown, Otto Graham, and Bernie Kosar to Super Bowl appearances in 1986 and 1987, there is no doubt that this team has made its mark on NFL history.
In the early years of the Cleveland Browns history, the team dominated the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). They captured all four championships from 1946 to 1949 before joining the NFL. Once in the league, they continued their success, reaching three straight championship games in the 1950s. Led by legendary running back Jim Brown, the Cleveland Browns NFL team secured back-to-back titles in 1954 and 1955.
The 1960s were more challenging, with only two winning seasons in a decade. However, the arrival of Paul Warfield and running back Leroy Kelly sparked new hope. This era of the Cleveland Browns history included six playoff appearances between 1972 and 1980. Pro Bowl stars like Brian Sipe, Clay Matthews, Mike Pruitt, and Hanford Dixon helped create a strong identity. The famous “Dawg Pound” defense became a cornerstone of their success.
Cleveland Browns Achievements
Although recent decades brought struggles, the Cleveland Browns NFL franchise remains one of the league’s most beloved. Ownership changes and tough seasons have tested fans, yet the passion in Cleveland never fades. The Cleveland Browns history shows a legacy built on championships, legendary players, and enduring loyalty. No matter what lies ahead, their influence on professional football is undeniable.
The Cleveland Browns history is defined by early dominance, winning four AAFC titles and four NFL championships before the Super Bowl era. Legends like Otto Graham, Jim Brown, and Paul Warfield helped shape the success of the Cleveland Browns NFL franchise. Despite challenges in later decades, the Browns’ tradition of excellence and loyal fan base remain central to their identity in professional football.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
14 / Otto Graham
32 / Jim Brown
45 / Ernie Davis
46 / Don Fleming
76 / Lou Groza
*Blue is this team’s history