winklogo200.png

Creation of the Cleveland Browns Franchise

April 20, 1945 - Arthur "Mickey" McBride formed the Cleveland Browns organization. According...

Our Latest Book is Out
Explore the 1925 NFL season and the saga of an NFL franchise the Pottsville Maroons

Marooned:The Rise, The Fall, and The Redemption of the 1925 Pottsville Maroons

FREE Daily Sports History
You are only seconds away from receiving the Pigpen's Newsletter everyday filled with new items

SUBSCRIBE BY CLICKING _________________________  
FOOTBALL TEAM | Cleveland Browns

"Creation of the Cleveland Browns Franchise"

Last updated 📅 2025-04-20

April 20, 1945 - Arthur "Mickey" McBride formed the Cleveland Browns organization. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mickey acquired the franchise in the new All-America Football Conference that would begin play in the 1946 season.

McBride's first act after acquiring the team was to hire a coach and general manager, and he did both by selecting one man,  Paul Brown. Coach Brown was a successful high school, college, and service coach and was the right man for the job.

The Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four of its championships, and also won the NFL championship shortly after the leagues merged the Browns, Colts, and 49ers into the NFL.

  • HASHTAGS: #April20 #ClevelandBrowns
  • EVENTDAY: April 20
  • FOOTBALL TEAM: Cleveland Browns

football team

"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.
✦ 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...

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...

Preserving Gridiron History in a New Way!
Enjoy football history with some challenging word puzzle fun

The Pigskin Dispatch Football Word Search

Proud to Support The Professional Football Researchers Association
To learn more about joining the fun in preserving football history go to The Official PFRA Website. _________________________
We have placed some product links on this page. If you purchase by clicking on them, we will get a commission to use to help with operating costs.

The 1922 Rose Bowl
Celebrate 2 of the top Gridiron Coaches in history in the latest Pigskin Dispatch book

When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach

Greatest Pro Team
Who was the MOST DOMINANT team in Pro Football History? We have the answer in the latest Pigskin Dispatch book

The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch _________________________

Sports History Network
A Proud Partner in the Headquarters of Sports Yesteryear, SHN. _________________________

Sports Jersey Dispatch
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. _________________________

Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry. _________________________