Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns History Dates Back To The 1940′s
Copyright (c) 2010 Matthew Love
As a participant in professional football since 1946, Cleveland Browns history is unique and not without controversy. Cleveland was without a team from 1996 to 1999, due to Art Modell’s move from Cleveland to Baltimore. The Cleveland Browns history began as a member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), but joined up with the NFL when the league disbanded in 1950. The Browns have won eight league championships, including all of the AAFC titles from 1946 to 1950, and four more in the 60s, before the AFL and NFL merged into one league. The 40′s and 60′s were a great time in Cleveland Browns history, although since the merger, the Browns have not played in a championship game, nor have they made it to a Super Bowl.
An interesting aspect of Cleveland Browns history is the process they went through to be named. Paul Brown was their first coach, general manager, and vice president when they were founded as a part of the AAFC. Due to a team naming contest that took place, the team was named after him. Paul was already popular in Ohio within the professional and collegiate sports world, so people felt that it was an appropriate name. However, Brown initially refused the selection and instead decided to go with the name Panthers, until a local businessman told the team that he owned the rights to that name from previous attempt of starting a new team in Cleveland. At this point, Brown felt that he had no other choice than to use the popular vote, naming the team the Cleveland Browns.
Paul Brown had all of the right connections to establish a winning team when his coaching and managing responsibilities began. Successfully building a championship team, in 1948 he obtained the season record for being unbeaten and untied. The team received great support from their inception, considering their average attendance in their first season was 57,000 per game. A notable accomplishment and a surprising part of Cleveland Browns history, considering that just one year prior the Cleveland Rams had been transferred to L.A. as a result of losing money and lack of support from the community. After 1949, along with many other problems that plagued the league, the Browns’ domination of the AAFC partly contributed to its demise. The NFL agreed to take three of the teams from the AAFC, the Browns was their most appealing acquisition.
The Browns took to the NFL quickly, their first year they made an appearance to the NFL playoffs, rising above analyst’s expectations. The next year was good too, as were many years during the 1950s and 60s. In 1961, Art Modell bought the Cleveland Browns from Paul Brown. Eventually, Paul went on to purchase a franchise in Cincinnati, which was the start of the Bengals franchise. The rivalry between Paul Brown and Art Modell was almost instant, and was no secret to anyone involved in professional football. However, despite the controversy, the Browns had continued to do well up until the early 1970′s. Cleveland Browns history took a turn for the worse once the NFL merged with the AFL in 1970, the Browns domination had ended almost as quickly as it had begun.
The Browns struggled between 1971 and 1984, a spiral in their NFL standings. They went through numerous staff members including coaches and players during this time, but nothing seemed to shake the Browns out of their vicious cycle of losing and often giving up close games. However, during the 1980′s, the Browns acquired Bernie Kosar from University of Miami. Slow to start, Kosar learned by experience after taking over for Gary Danielson halfway through the season. The Cleveland Browns ended up winning 4 of the 6 games that Kosar started during his first season. The rest of the 80s and 90s, the Browns didn’t do much of anything noteworthy. They had their ups and downs, but never seemed to be able to win when it counted, leaving them without even one invitation to the Super Bowl in their 50 years of existence. A significant event in Cleveland Browns history occurred in 1996, Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore, but was forced to leave behind the uniforms, name and rights to the team, which basically left him to create a brand new name and franchise for his players in Baltimore.
The new Cleveland Browns have been around since 1999 and have struggled since then. On a positive note, the Browns have some of the NFL’s most dedicated and loyal fans in football. Who hasn’t heard of the “Dog Pound”? In addition, the re-emergence of Carson Palmer might be the ticket to big game they’ve been waiting for.
About the Author
Matt Love
FootballCollectibles.com
http://www.footballcollectibles.com/ClevelandBrowns.htm
Cleveland Browns Resource Guide for team
Collectibles
, History, Blogs, News, Shopping and Memorabilia.
Cleveland Browns – Highlights Part 4 Including Phil Dawson
|
|
2009 SP Threads #125 David Veikune BROWNS HAWAII WARRIORS SP $3.99 |
|
|
Braylon Edwards 2005 Reflections Jersey Patch Browns Jets 49ers Michigan SP $0.01 |
|
|
Eric Wright Browns 2007 Score Rookie # 296 w/ Shipping $2.49 |
|
|
2011 Topps Chrome Finest Freshman Greg Little Browns $1.00 |
|
|
CLEVELAND BROWNS LOT OF 15 DIFFERENT SERIAL NUMBERED CARDS $1.32 |
|
|
CARLTON MITCHELL USF BROWNS 2010 PLAT REF AUTO RC /1099 $3.60 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns NWT Splash Embroidered Knit Cap Winter Beanie Hat a1979 $15.99 |
|
|
2011 Topps Prime (RC) GREG LITTLE JERSEY #/50 Cleveland Browns $6.79 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns Quality NFL Collectors Pen NEW! $8.50 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns – 2011 Score UPDATED team set from retail factory (13 cards) $2.00 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns FATHEAD Mini Helmet Logo NFL 6″x5″ Official Vinyl Wall Graphic $6.40 |
|
|
LOT OF 14 CLEVELAND BROWNS 2010 TOPPS CRIBBS RCS OF MCCOY HARDESTY HADEN WARD $5.99 |
|
|
2011 Playoff Contenders Buster Skrine RC Autograph Cleveland Browns $3.97 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns L Mens Full Zip Full Leather Jacket Look @ The Pictures PA 8 $139.99 |
|
|
1968 TOPPS FOOTBALL #76 GENE HICKERSON! CLEVELAND BROWNS! EX+ $0.99 |
|
|
1968 TOPPS FOOTBALL #102 ERICH BARNES! CLEVELAND BROWNS! NM $0.99 |
|
|
1974 TOPPS #185 FAIR HOOKER PSA 9 BROWNS $12.99 |
|
|
NFL CLEVELAND BROWN ELF CHAMPANG GLASSES FOUR AROUND 1960 $36.00 |
|
|
L Browns Full Zip Soft Leather Jacket 615 R382 $79.99 |
|
|
CLEVELAND BROWNS NFL JERSEY YOUTH XL / 20 $13.99 |
|
|
1968 TOPPS FOOTBALL #154 BILL GLASS! CLEVELAND BROWNS! NM $0.99 |
|
|
2010 PRESTIGE CLEVELAND BROWNS BEN WATSON # 114 $1.00 |
|
|
CLEVELAND BROWNS NFL DRAWER PULLS / CABINET KNOBS $8.84 |
|
|
1968 TOPPS FOOTBALL #206 LEROY KELLY! CLEVELAND BROWNS! NM $2.58 |
|
|
2011 Donruss Elite (RC) GREG LITTLE JERSEY #/50 Cleveland Browns $4.24 |
|
|
2XL Cleveland Browns FullZip Winter Jacket w/ hood R397 RL $59.99 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns L Mens Full Zip Winter Jacket with Hood Look @ Pictures PA 8 $69.99 |
|
|
cleveland browns 2012 rookie JERSEY LOT weeden hardesty $5.99 |
|
|
GREG LITTLE CLEVELAND BROWNS 2011 INCEPTION 2 COLOR JERSEY PATCH RC #/75 $9.99 |
|
|
Kellen Winslow Browns 2007 Bowman # 101 w/ Shipping $2.25 |
|
|
1961 Topps JIMMY BROWN IN ACTION #77 – Near Mint $10.00 |
|
|
Cleveland Browns 2XL Mens Full Zip Brown Leather Jacket Look @ The Pictures PA 8 $139.99 |
|
|
New $80 Reebok Browns Sheldon Brown Men’s Jersey S $39.99 |
|
|
MENS CLEVELAND BROWNS FOOTBALL JERSEY-SIZE: LARGE* $25.00 |
|
|
2011 Topps Triple Threads Football Hobby Box Team Grab Bag- Browns $0.99 |
|
|
New York Giants Team Logo Lunch Bag $10.00 Take your favorite team to lunch with an officially licensed NFL soft lunch box. These lunch boxes feature a football grain material around the perimeter and a pocket for a photo or trading card. Each lunch box features a team helmet design on one side and a football field with team logo on the other. Availability: Usually ships within 1-2 business days…. |
|
|
NFL Cleveland Browns Chef Hat and Apron Set $22.99 Express your FANHOOD while grilling! The apron & chef’s hat both come in twill blend and feature the full color logo of your favorite NFL team. The chef’s hat features adjustable Velcro on the back to insure a comfortable fit. A perfect gift for tailgating or backyard grilling!… |
|
|
Cleveland Browns NFL Field Team Lunch Box $9.99 Take your favorite team to lunch with this versatile soft vinyl lunch box by PSG. Features team and NFL logos…. |
|
|
Concert for George $20.40 A year after former Beatle George Harrison died, a gala concert was held in his memory at London’s Royal Albert Hall with an incredible all-star lineup that included ex-bandmates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, and members of Monty Python, plus special guest Tom Hanks. Songs include “Something,” “While My Guitar Gently We… |
|
|
Violin Adagios $10.25 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Mozart: Adagios $9.00 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Mother Wore Tights [VHS] $12.98 … |
|
|
The Cleveland Browns : Fifty Years of Memories $9.85 … |
|
|
Cleveland Browns 1996 [VHS] $6.92 … |
|
|
Cleveland Browns Art Glass Night Light $15.99 This decorative nightlight combines beautiful hand-painted glass with your favorite team logo! Measures 4.625 inches tall by 4.625 inches wide…. |