The Cleveland Browns have had a messy history. They were founded in 1945 by Arthur B. McBride. They originally played in the All American Football league until they joined the National Football League in 1950. The Browns were named after their first coach, Paul Brown. In 1961, Art Modell purchased the Cleveland Browns and fired Paul Brown. For the next three decades, the Browns continued to have great success in the league. However, in 1995 Art Modell moved the franchise to Baltimore, creating the Baltimore Ravens, and leaving Cleveland without a football team. The Browns came back in 1999, however they were a shadow of their former, dominant self. Since 1999, the Browns have only a .327 win percentage and have only been to the playoffs one time, in 2002, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have not been back to the playoffs since. They are currently in their second year under head coach Hue Jackson. |