Established
1936
City
Cleveland - Los Angeles - St. Louis - Los Angeles
League History
1936 – Present / National Football League
Team History
2016 - Present / Los Angeles Rams
1995 - 2015 / St. Louis Rams
1946 - 1994 / Los Angeles Rams
1936 - 1945 / Cleveland Rams
Nickname
Rams - The Cleveland Rams were among the first teams to join the National Football League (NFL). The team was established in 1937 and played home games at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. While they had a short-lived tenure with only five seasons before moving to Los Angeles, their name has remained an iconic part of NFL history.
Cleveland Rams Origin
The origin story behind the “Rams” nickname is quite interesting. It all started when co-owner Homer Marshman noticed a Fordham University football game on television and noticed that many of their players had horns painted on their helmets as part of school tradition. He believed this would make for an excellent mascot for his new professional team; thus, the “Cleveland Rams” was born!
Since then, other teams have adopted similar nicknames, such as St Louis's "Cardinals" or Atlanta's "Falcons," but none can compare to how it all began with Cleveland's beloved team - The Rams! Despite leaving Ohio in 1945, they remain etched into our hearts, just like any true sports fan knows - once you're a Ram...you'll always be one!
Championship
Super Bowl 0
1999
NFL Championship 1
1945
Stadium
2020 – Present / SoFi Stadium
2018 – 2019 / Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park (during construction)
2019 / Dignity Health Sports Park
2017 – 2018 / StubHub Center
*St. Louis*
2001 - 2015 / Edward Jones Dome
2001 / Dome at America's Center
1995 - 2000 / Trans World Dome
*Los Angeles*
1980 - 1994 / Anaheim Stadium
1946 - 1979 / Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
*Cleveland*
1936 - 1937, 1939 - 1941, 1945 / Cleveland Municipal Stadium
1937, 1942, 1944 - 1945 / League Park
1938 / Shaw Stadium
Owner
2010 - Present / Stan Kroenke
2008 - 2010 / Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez, and Stan Kroenke
1995 - 2008 / Georgia Frontiere and Stan Kroenke
1979 - 1995 / Georgia Frontiere
1972 - 1979 / Carroll Rosenbloom
1971 - 1972 / Robert Irsay
1941 - 1971 / Dan Reeves
1936 - 1941 / Homer Marshman
- 1937
- 1946
Cleveland Rams Team Formation
The Cleveland Rams were founded by attorney Homer Marshman in 1936. Their name, the Rams, comes from the nickname of Fordham University. “Rams” was selected to honor the hard work of the football players that came out of that university. They were part of the newly formed American Football League and finished the 1936 regular season in second place with ...
Reeves Looking to Move to Los Angeles
On January 12, 1946, Reeves was denied a request by the other NFL owners to move the Cleveland Rams to Los Angeles and the then-103,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. He threatened to end his relationship with the NFL and get out of the professional football business altogether unless the transfer to Los Angeles was permitted. A settlement was reached and, ...
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.
Cleveland Rams History
The Cleveland Rams History dates back to 1937 when the team joined the National Football League (NFL). The franchise was originally founded by attorney Homer Marshman and player-coach Damon Wetzel, who acquired the rights to an NFL team in Cleveland for $2,500. Before their eventual move to Los Angeles, the Cleveland Rams football team played an important role in shaping the early years of the league.
In their first season of play (1937), the Rams posted a respectable 7–5 record under coach Damon Wetzel. They even advanced to the NFL Championship Game, although they fell short against the Washington Redskins 28–21. However, despite this early success, financial difficulties caused by World War II forced the franchise out of business after just eight seasons in 1945.
During their time in Cleveland, the team had several standout players who left a lasting mark. Quarterback Bob Waterfield became one of the stars of the Cleveland Rams History, earning league MVP honors twice. Running back Parker Hall made an immediate impact, leading all rushers with 858 yards during his rookie season. End Jim Benton also stood out, with career receptions that placed him high among franchise leaders, only behind later stars like Tom Fears and Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch. Meanwhile, linebacker Les Richter, who became a feared tackler during the 1950s and 60s, also carried the Rams’ reputation for toughness forward when he starred for the Los Angeles Rams after the Cleveland era ended.
Cleveland Rams Achievements
Although the franchise lasted less than a decade in Cleveland, the Cleveland Rams History is filled with impressive achievements. The team appeared in two NFL Championship Games and captured one title in 1945. This victory proved that the Rams could compete among the league’s best, even though financial challenges limited their time in Ohio.
Their championship win and the presence of multiple Hall of Fame-caliber players cemented their impact. The Cleveland Rams History not only paved the way for future success as the Los Angeles Rams but also contributed to the NFL’s growth. Today, their legacy lives on, connecting the early days of Cleveland Rams football to the modern achievements of the Rams franchise in professional football.
Retired Number
7 / Bob Waterfield
28 / Marshall Faulk
29 / Eric Dickerson
74 / Merlin Olsen
75 / Deacon Jones
78 / Jackie Slater
80 / Isaac Bruce
85 / Jack Youngblood
*Blue is this team’s history