Facts and information about the Cleveland Browns

• The Cleveland Browns began as one of the teams in the All-American Football Conference (AAFC) that was a rival of the more established National Football League (NFL).

• When the AAFC folded, only three teams were allowed to join the NFL; the Browns, the 49ers, and the Colts.

• Cleveland won its first game ever by a score of 44-0 over the Miami Seahawks, also of the AAFC.

• The Browns are the only team in the NFL with no logo on their helmets.

• In 1970 the Cleveland Browns became one of three teams to join the incoming AFL teams in the newly formed American Football Conference. The Browns were paid $3 million dollars for volunteering to change conferences.

• The original Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, becoming the Ravens, in 1996.
  

• The current Cleveland Browns were admitted to the NFL as an expansion team in 2000.

• The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 after the All-American Football Conference (AAFC), which they belonged to, had folded.

• The Browns were charter members of the All-American Football Conference and won all four championships during the league’s existence.

• The Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship in 1950; their first year in the league, beating the Los Angeles Rams who had previously been the Cleveland Rams.

• In 1958, Running Back Jim Brown rushed for a total of 1527 yards which was almost twice the amount of any other Running Back in the league.

• One-time Cleveland owner Art Modell purchased the Browns in 1961 and owned them until he moved the team to Baltimore in 1996.

• In 1948, 24 years before the Miami Dolphins undefeated season in 1972, the Cleveland Browns finished the year at 14-0 and won the AAFC Championship.

• Professional wrestler Ron Simmons, sometimes known as Farooq, played for the Cleveland Browns for a short time in the 1980s.

• One-time Browns Coach Dick Modzelewski has an all-time win-loss record of 0-1.

• During the 1982 strike shortened season Cleveland’s record was 4-5 and still qualified them for the playoffs.

• In the deal that allowed Art Modell to move the team to Baltimore, he lost the rights to the team name, colors, uniforms, records, and history.

• Longtime Cleveland Browns Quarterback Bernie Kosar was the losing Quarterback in the famous Hail Mary game between Boston College and the University of Miami, won by Doug Flutie.

• During the 1950 & 1951 seasons the Browns wore white helmets before changing to their now historic orange.

• Former Head Coach Paul Brown got his inspiration for the team colors from Bowling Green University. There is a plaque at Bowling Green signifying this NFL connection.

• The first two-point conversion scored in the NFL was scored in 1994 when Cleveland Browns Punter Tom Tupa, acting as holder on an extra point, ran the ball across the goal line.

• Fan favorite, Running Back Gerald McNeil, got his start in professional football with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.

• Brian Sipe, Quarterback for the Cleveland Browns from 1974 to 1983, was a competitor in the 1961 Little League World Series playing for El Cajon, California.

• In 1980, Quarterback Brian Sipe led the Browns to their first playoff berth since 1972, and also garnered himself the NFL MVP award.