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Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns | History of the Cleveland Browns NFL Franchise

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"Cleveland Browns Franchise History"

The Cleveland Browns boast a history as turbulent as that of the Great Lake beside which they reside. From their glorious beginnings as a powerhouse to their devastating Relocation and eventual rebirth, the Browns have become synonymous with resilience, passionate fandom, and the enduring hope for gridiron glory.

  • The 1948 Cleveland Browns Amazing Collection Pieces of Jeff Payne
  • 1948 Cleveland Browns Undefeated Season
  • Unveiling the 1950 NFL Championship: Browns vs. Rams
  • Gridiron Glory: Unraveling the 1951 NFL Championship
  • Reliving the 1964 NFL Championship with Rich Shmelter
  • The Amazing Cleveland Browns Collection of ShowDawg - Ray Prisby
CLEVELAND BROWNS: Cleveland Browns Franchise History, The 1948 Cleveland Browns Amazing Collection Pieces..., 3 NFL Teams Reposition, Creation of the Cleveland Browns Franchise, A Conference is Born: The Day the AFC Took Shape, The Cleveland Browns and their AAFC Team Story, Paul Brown, 1948 Cleveland Browns Undefeated Season, Dante Lavelli Cleveland Browns Legendary End, Unveiling the 1950 NFL Championship: Browns vs. Rams, Jim Brown: The Story of a Cleveland Legend, Gridiron Glory: Unraveling the 1951 NFL Championship, The Cleveland Browns' Historic 1950 Season, Frank Gatski Browns Hall of Fame Center, Ozzie Newsome College and Pro Football Hall of Fame..., Joe DeLamielleure Buffalo Bills Legend, Jerry Rhome Football Hall of Fame Profile, Jim Ray Smith Outstanding Lineman, Dante Lavelli and His Grip on Football, Jim Brown the NFL Running Back All Others Are Measured..., Dick Modzelewski The Bio of the Gridiron Legend, Henry Jordan A Force of Nature on the Gridiron, The Toe That Toppled Titans: Lou Groza's Enduring..., January 17th, 1988: A Night of Heartbreak & History..., Mac Speedie Cleveland Browns HOF End, Reliving the 1964 NFL Championship with Rich Shmelter, Retired Jersey Numbers of the Cleveland Browns, Otto Graham: Northwestern Star, Browns Legend &..., Joe Thomas The Indestructible Anchor: Forging a Legacy..., Bill Willis: A Force of Nature Who Integrated the..., Leroy Kelly: From Morgan State to Browns Legend &..., Len Dawson - Pro Football Hall of Fame bio, Paul Warfield: Poetry in Motion on the Gridiron, Tommy McDonald: Oklahoma's Little Giant and His The..., Doug Atkins, Alex Agase Hall of Fame Guard/Linebacker of the Illini..., Willie Davis Champion Defensive End, Cleveland Browns Legend, Hall of Fame Kicker &..., Braylon Edwards Pro Bowl Caliber Wide Reciever, Mac Speedie: Bio on the Legend, Bobby Mitchell: A Pioneer of Speed and Grace, Marion Motley: Breaking Barriers and Blazing Trails..., Mike McCormack: Hall of Fame Lineman, Champion,..., Weldon Humble Hall of Fame Guard, The Unsung Hero of the Cleveland Browns Dynasty, Tom Cousineau an Ohio State Tackling Machine, An Icon Forged in Texas: The Legacy of Jim Ray Smith, Brad Van Pelt A Most Feared Defender, The Amazing Cleveland Browns Collection of ShowDawg..., Ron Simmons: From Gridiron Great to Wrestling Legend

Born Winners and the Drive Factory (1946-1995): In 1946, Paul Brown, a legendary coach, brought professional football to Cleveland, establishing the Browns as an immediate force. With their revolutionary running game and "Drive Factory" philosophy, the Browns dominated the league, winning eight league championships in their first 17 years. Players like Jim Brown, Otto Graham, and Lou Groza became iconic figures, etching the Browns' legacy in football history.

Heartbreak and Relocation (1996-1999): However, financial concerns and disagreements with ownership led to Brown's departure in 1963, marking the beginning of a decline. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Browns never captured their past glory, culminating in owner Art Modell's controversial decision to relocate the team to Baltimore in 1996. This betrayal left Cleveland fans heartbroken and fueled a years-long struggle to bring the team back.

Return to Glory and New Challenges (1999-Present): After years of legal battles and fan pressure, the Browns returned in 1999 as an expansion team. While initial success proved elusive, the arrival of Baker Mayfield in 2018 sparked hope. Despite playoff appearances and passionate support, the Browns haven't yet replicated their championship success. Yet, the journey continues, fueled by the unwavering loyalty of "Dawg Pound" fans who dream of returning the Lombardi Trophy to Cleveland.

  • AUTHOR: George Bozeka, Ray Prisby, Rich Shmelter
  • DIB: June 05
  • DOB: April 05, December 04, December 06, December 28, February 25, January 25, July 24, July 26, June 06, June 20, June 21, March 27, May 15, May 20, October 05
  • EVENTDAY: April 05, April 20, April 24, December 04, December 06, December 28, February 25, January 25, July 24, July 26, June 05, June 06, June 20, June 21, March 27, May 06, May 08, May 10, May 15, May 17, May 20, October 05
  • FOOTBALL: Greatest NFL Games, NFL Champions, Collectibles, Retired NFL Jersey Numbers
  • FOOTBALL LEAGUE: All America Football Conference, Fourth American Football League, World Football League
  • FOOTBALL MONTH: February History, January History, March History
  • FOOTBALL NAME: Alex Agase, Bill Willis, Bob Waterfield, Bobby Mitchell, Brad Van Pelt, Braylon Edwards, Crazy Legs Hirsch, Dante Lavelli, Dick Modzelewski, Don Fleming, Doug Atkins, Ernie Davis, Frank Gatski, Gene Hickerson, George Halas, Henry Jordan, Jerry Rhome, Jim Brown, Jim Ray Smith, Joe DeLamielleure, Joe Stydahar, Joe Thomas, Johnny Unitas, Len Dawson, Leroy Kelly, Lou Groza, Lou Saban, Mac Speedie, Marion Motley, Mike McCormack, Norm Van Brocklin, Otto Graham, Ozzie Newsome, Paul Brown, Paul Warfield, Ron Simmons, Tom Cousineau, Tommy McDonald, Weldon Humble, Willie Davis
  • FOOTBALL POSITION: Defensive Back, Defensive End, Defensive Line, Full Back, Guard, Halfback, Head Coach, Kicker, Linebacker, Quarterback, Runningback, Running Back, Tackle, Wide Receiver
  • FOOTBALL TEAM: Alabama Crimson Tide, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Baylor Bears, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Texans, Denver Broncos, Florida State Seminoles, Green Bay Packers, Illinois Fighting Illini, Illinois Illini, India, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Marshall Thundering Herd, Memphis Southmen, Miami Dolphins, Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines, Nevada Wolf Pack, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Yanks, Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels, Ottowa Rough Riders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rice Owls, SMU Mustangs, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Syracuse Orange, Tampa Bay Bandits, Tulse Golden Hurricanes, Utah Utes, Virginia Cavaliers, Washington Commanders, Washington Redskins, Wisconsin Badgers
  • HOCKEY POSITION: Center
  • NCAAF JERSEY: Number 10, Number 17, Number 22, Number 36, Number 42, Number 50, Number 56, Number 59, Number 60, Number 70, Number 72, Number 76, Number 75, Number 82, Number 99
  • NFL JERSEY: Jersey 16, Number 08, Number 10, Number 14, Number 17, Number 22, Number 25, Number 29, Number 30, Number 32, Number 35, Number 36, Number 38, Number 42, Number 44, Number 45, Number 46, Number 49, Number 50, Number 52, Number 56, Number 57, Number 58, Number 60, Number 62, Number 64, Number 66, Number 68, Number 70, Number 71, Number 73, Number 74, Number 76, Number 77, Number 79, Number 81. NFL Jersey:Number 83. NCAAF Jersey:number 91, Number 82, Number 84, Number 86, Number 87, Number 88, Number 91
  • OTHER: "The Toe", AAFC Championships, All America Football Conference, Grambling State, Lou Groza Award, Massillon High School, NFL All-Decade Team, NFL Championships, Footb, Football, Undefeated Teams
  • PODCAST: Football
  • PROFOOTBALL: 1948, 1950, 1951
  • SPORTS: Football, College Football Hall of Fame, Football Odds And Ends, Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football, Pro Football
  • VIDEO: Football History Minute, Gridiron Legends
  • HASHTAGS: #GeorgeBozeka #RayPrisby #RichShmelter #June05 #April05 #December04 #December06 #December28 #February25 #January25 #July24 #July26 #June06 #June20 #June21 #March27 #May15 #May20 #October05 #April20 #April24 #May06 #May08 #May10 #May17 #GreatestNFLGames #NFLChampions #Collectibles #RetiredNFLJerseyNumbers #AllAmericaFootballConference #FourthAmericanFootballLeague #WorldFootballLeague #FebruaryHistory #JanuaryHistory #MarchHistory #AlexAgase #BillWillis #BobWaterfield #BobbyMitchell #BradVanPelt #BraylonEdwards #CrazyLegsHirsch #DanteLavelli #DickModzelewski #DonFleming #DougAtkins #ErnieDavis #FrankGatski #GeneHickerson #GeorgeHalas #HenryJordan #JerryRhome #JimBrown #JimRaySmith #JoeDeLamielleure #JoeStydahar #JoeThomas #JohnnyUnitas #LenDawson #LeroyKelly #LouGroza #LouSaban #MacSpeedie #MarionMotley #MikeMcCormack #NormVanBrocklin #OttoGraham #OzzieNewsome #PaulBrown #PaulWarfield #RonSimmons #TomCousineau #TommyMcDonald #WeldonHumble #WillieDavis #DefensiveBack #DefensiveEnd #DefensiveLine #FullBack #Guard #Halfback #HeadCoach #Kicker #Linebacker #Quarterback #Runningback #RunningBack #Tackle #WideReceiver #AlabamaCrimsonTide #AtlantaFalcons #BaltimoreColts #BaltimoreRavens #BaylorBears #BuffaloBills #ChicagoBears #CincinnatiBengals #ClevelandBrowns #DallasCowboys #DallasTexans #DenverBroncos #FloridaStateSeminoles #GreenBayPackers #IllinoisFightingIllini #IllinoisIllini #India #IndianapolisColts #KansasCityChiefs #LasVegasRaiders #LosAngelesRams #MarshallThunderingHerd #MemphisSouthmen #MiamiDolphins #MichiganStateSpartans #MichiganWolverines #NevadaWolfPack #NewYorkGiants #NewYorkJets #NewYorkYanks #NorthwesternWildcats #OhioStateBuckeyes #OklahomaSooners #OleMissRebels #OttowaRoughRiders #PhiladelphiaEagles #PittsburghSteelers #RiceOwls #SMUMustangs #SanFrancisco49ers #SeattleSeahawks #SyracuseOrange #TampaBayBandits #TulseGoldenHurricanes #UtahUtes #VirginiaCavaliers #WashingtonCommanders #WashingtonRedskins #WisconsinBadgers #Center #Number10 #Number17 #Number22 #Number36 #Number42 #Number50 #Number56 #Number59 #Number60 #Number70 #Number72 #Number76 #Number75 #Number82 #Number99 #Jersey16 #Number08 #Number14 #Number25 #Number29 #Number30 #Number32 #Number35 #Number38 #Number44 #Number45 #Number46 #Number49 #Number52 #Number57 #Number58 #Number62 #Number64 #Number66 #Number68 #Number71 #Number73 #Number74 #Number77 #Number79 #Number84 #Number86 #Number87 #Number88 #Number91 #AAFCChampionships #GramblingState #LouGrozaAward #MassillonHighSchool #NFLChampionships #Footb #Football #UndefeatedTeams #CollegeFootballHallofFame #FootballOddsAndEnds #ProFootballHallofFame #CollegeFootball #ProFootball #FootballHistoryMinute #GridironLegends

FOOTBALL TEAM | Cleveland Browns

"The 1948 Cleveland Browns Amazing Collection Pieces of Jeff Payne"

Our guest is historian and collector Jeff Payne, who joins us to discuss an incredible portion of his vintage gridiron collection concerning the 1948 Cleveland Browns. The 1948 Cleveland Browns cemented themselves in football history by achieving the seemingly impossible: an undefeated season. This summary details their dominant run:
Building the Team: ✦ Head coach Paul Brown continued to refine his squad after winning the previous two AAFC championships. ✦ Key additions included linebacker Alex Agase and halfbacks Ara Parseghian and Dub Jones...

FOOTBALL TEAM | Cleveland Browns

"3 NFL Teams Reposition"

May 17, 1969—The Newspapers.com Football History Headline of the Day comes from the December 10, 1969, Clarion-Ledger in Jacksonville, Mississippi, which placed in boldface print: “NFL Gives ‘69-’70 Schedule.” The article declares that the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers all agreed to leave the NFL to join the 10 AFL franchises in the new American Football Conference in the NFL as part of the merger of the two rival leagues.

NFL President and Browns owner Art Modell declared that the transfer of the three longtime NFL teams was to balance out the teams in the two conferences. In retrospect, it is interesting how much it also shifted the power of the conferences, as in the decade following the transfer, Baltimore and Pittsburgh accounted for five of the ten Super Bowl Titles.


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If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in other team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch. _________________________

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