Cleveland Browns facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cleveland Browns
Current season
Logo Wordmark Uniforms
Basic info
Established	June 4, 1944; 81 years ago (June 4, 1944)
Colors	Brown, orange, white
Mascot	Chomps, SJ, Brownie the Elf
Personnel
Owner(s)	Jimmy Haslam Dee Haslam
President	David Jenkins
General manager	Andrew Berry
Head coach	Kevin Stefanski
Nicknames
The Brownies
Team history
Cleveland Browns (1946–1995, 1999–present) Suspended operations (1996–1998)
Home fields
Cleveland Stadium (1946–1995) Huntington Bank Field (1999–present)
League / conference affiliations
All-America Football Conference (1946–1949) Western Division (1946–1948) National Football League (1950–present) American Conference (1950–1952) Eastern Conference (1953–1969) Century Division (1967–1969) American Football Conference (1970–1995; 1999–present) AFC Central (1970–1995; 1999–2001) AFC North (2002–present)
Championships
League championships: 8 AAFC championships (4) 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 NFL championships (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (4) 1950, 1954, 1955, 1964
Conference championships: 11 NFL American: 1950, 1951, 1952 NFL Eastern: 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969
Division championships: 12 AAFC Western: 1946, 1947, 1948 NFL Century: 1967, 1968, 1969 AFC Central: 1971, 1980, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989
Playoff appearances (30)
AAFC: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 NFL: 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 2002, 2020, 2023
Owner(s)
Arthur B. McBride (1944–1953) Dave Jones (1953–1961) Art Modell (1961–1995) Al Lerner (1998–2002) Randy Lerner (2002–2012) Jimmy & Dee Haslam (2012–present)

The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team. They are based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns play in the National Football League (NFL). They are part of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team is named after its first coach and co-founder, Paul Brown.

The Browns play their home games at Huntington Bank Field. This stadium opened in 1999. Their main offices and training areas are in Berea, Ohio. The team's official colors are brown, orange, and white. They are special because they are the only NFL team without a logo on their helmets!

The team started in 1944. It was a founding member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). They began playing in 1946. The Browns were very strong in the AAFC. They won every championship in the league's four seasons. When the AAFC closed in 1949, the Browns joined the NFL. They kept winning, taking home NFL championships in 1950, 1954, 1955, and 1964. For their first 10 years, they played in their league's championship game every single year. They won seven of those games!

In 1995, the team's owner, Art Modell, wanted to move the team to Baltimore. Fans and the city of Cleveland were very upset. A deal was made in 1996. Modell could start a new team in Baltimore, the Baltimore Ravens. But the Browns' name, logos, and history stayed in Cleveland. The NFL paused the Browns team. It was promised that a new Browns team would return by 1999. This new team was created through a special draft in 1999.

Since coming back in 1999, the Browns have faced many challenges. They had only four winning seasons: 2002, 2007, 2020, and 2023. They made the playoffs three times (2002, 2020, and 2023). They won one playoff game in 2020. In 2017, they had a tough season, losing all 16 games. This was only the second time in NFL history a team went 0–16. The team has also changed head coaches and quarterbacks many times. Their long playoff drought ended in 2020. The Browns are one of four teams that have never played in a Super Bowl.

Team History

The Browns were named after their first head coach, Paul Brown.

The Cleveland Browns started in 1944. A businessman named Arthur B. "Mickey" McBride got a team for Cleveland in the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Paul Brown was the team's first coach and the team was named after him. The Browns began playing in 1946. They won all four AAFC championships before the league ended in 1949.

Then, the team joined the National Football League (NFL). They continued to be very successful. From 1950 to 1955, Cleveland played in the NFL championship game every year. They won three of these championships.

In 1953, McBride sold the team to a group of Cleveland businessmen. In 1961, the team was sold again to a group led by Art Modell. Modell fired Coach Brown in 1963. But the team still played well with star player Jim Brown. The Browns won the championship in 1964. They reached the title game again in 1965 but lost.

When the AFL and NFL leagues joined together in 1970, Cleveland became part of the new American Football Conference (AFC). The Browns made the playoffs in 1971 and 1972. Then, they had some average seasons in the mid-1970s. In 1979 and 1980, quarterback Brian Sipe led the team to many exciting last-minute wins. They were called the "Kardiac Kids." However, they did not get past the first round of the playoffs. Later, quarterback Bernie Kosar led the team to three AFC Championship games in the late 1980s. But they lost each time to the Denver Broncos.

In 1995, owner Art Modell announced he would move the Browns to Baltimore. This made many Cleveland fans very angry. After talks and legal actions, a deal was made. Modell could move his team to Baltimore and call them the Baltimore Ravens. But Cleveland would keep the Browns' name, colors, and history. A new Browns team would start playing by 1999. Before the move, Bill Belichick was the head coach. He led the team to one winning season in 1994. They won a playoff game that year before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

After three years without a team, the Browns returned in 1999. A new stadium, Huntington Bank Field, was built. The new owner was Al Lerner. Under coach Chris Palmer, the Browns had tough seasons in 1999 and 2000. The team struggled a lot in the 2000s and 2010s. They have only had four winning seasons and three playoff appearances since 1999. The team's struggles continued after the Lerner family sold the team to Jimmy Haslam in 2012.

Butch Davis became head coach in 2001. He led the team to the playoffs in 2002 with a 9–7 record. They lost a close game to the Steelers. After more tough seasons, Davis resigned in 2004. Romeo Crennel took over in 2005. He had a winning record in 2007 but missed the playoffs. Eric Mangini and Pat Shurmur coached the team for a few years. Rob Chudzinski coached in 2013. Mike Pettine coached in 2014 and 2015. From 2016 to 2017, under coach Hue Jackson, the Browns had a very difficult time. They won only one game in two seasons, including a 0–16 season in 2017. They used their top draft picks on Myles Garrett and Baker Mayfield.

In 2019, Freddie Kitchens was hired as head coach. He was fired after one season. Before the 2020 season, the Browns hired Kevin Stefanski. In 2020, the Browns made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. They finished the season 11–5. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round for their first playoff win since 1994. Their season ended with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2021 and 2022, they missed the playoffs. In 2023, the Browns returned to the postseason with an 11–6 record. They lost to the Texans in the Wild Card Round.

Logos and Uniforms

Team Logos

Brownie elf logo used at midfield since 2022

The Browns are the only NFL team without a logo on their helmets. The plain orange helmet is their official logo. Over the years, the team has used other fun logos for promotions. These include the "Brownie Elf" mascot or a brown "B" on a white football.

The Brownie Elf was put away in the mid-1960s. But it came back when the team returned in 1999. The "Dawg Pound" fan section at Huntington Bank Field led to a brown and orange dog logo being used. But the orange, logo-less helmet is still the main symbol of the Cleveland Browns. They have also used special logos for anniversaries, like their 60th and 75th years.

Browns "dawg logo", a secondary logo introduced in 2023

New logos and words were shown in 2015. The helmet design stayed mostly the same. The orange color became a bit darker, and the facemask changed from gray to brown. A new secondary "dawg" logo was added in 2023. This dog logo was designed by a fan and has small details that honor Cleveland and the team's history.

Since 2022, a version of the Brownie elf logo is featured at the center of the field at Huntington Bank Field. Fans voted for this.

Team Uniforms

The Browns' jerseys, pants, and socks have mostly stayed the same over the years. But their helmets have changed a lot. The uniforms had a big change in 2015.

Jerseys:

• Brown jerseys have orange numbers and writing. They have an orange-white-orange stripe on the sleeves.
• White (away) jerseys have orange numbers and writing. They have a brown-orange-brown stripe on the sleeves.
• Orange jerseys have white numbers and writing. They have a brown-white-brown stripe on the sleeves.

Pants:

• Brown pants have an orange-white-orange stripe. The word "BROWNS" is written in orange.
• White pants have brown-orange-brown stripes. "BROWNS" is written in brown.
• Orange pants have a brown-white-brown stripe. "BROWNS" is written in brown.

Socks:

• Solid brown.
• Solid white.
• Solid orange.

Helmet: The helmet has changed over time. It was solid white from 1946–1949. Then, it was white for day games and orange for night games in 1950–1951. Since 1961, it has been orange with a brown-white-brown stripe.

For many years, the Browns often wore white jerseys at home. This was common in the 1970s, 80s, and early 2000s. They were one of the few northern teams to do this regularly.

Small numbers, called "TV numbers," appeared on the jersey sleeves in 1961. The sleeve stripes have had minor changes, but the basic five-stripe pattern has stayed. The initials "AL" were added to honor former owner Al Lerner. These were removed in 2013.

Orange pants with a brown-white-brown stripe were worn from 1975 to 1983. They were a symbol of the "Kardiac Kids" era. These orange pants were also worn sometimes in 2003 and 2004.

In 1984, the uniform was completely redesigned. But fans did not like it. So, in 1985, the uniform went back to a look similar to the original design. It stayed that way until 1995.

When the team returned in 1999, they used the traditional design. The TV numbers moved to the shoulders. The orange-brown-orange pants stripes became much wider.

In 2002, an alternate orange jersey was added. Solid brown socks were also used. These were a big change because striped socks were a classic part of the uniform.

In 2006, the team went back to an older style. They used gray facemasks and the original stripe pattern on the brown jerseys. The brown color was also darker.

The Browns wore brown pants for the first time in a preseason game in 2008. These pants had no stripes. Fans generally did not like them. So, the team went back to white pants in 2010.

In 2013, the Browns wore brown pants with brown jerseys for the first time. This was an all-brown look.

On April 14, 2015, the Browns showed off new uniforms. The orange color was brighter. The facemask was seal brown. The numbers had a shadow effect. The word "CLEVELAND" was written above the numbers.

The Browns wore an all-brown uniform for the NFL Color Rush program in 2016. This uniform became their main home uniform in 2019.

For the 2020 season, the team showed a new uniform design. It looked like the classic Browns uniforms from the past.

In 2023, the Browns added new "White Out" uniforms. These are all-white, including a white helmet. This is the first time since 1950 the Browns have had non-orange helmets. The white helmets have an orange stripe with two brown stripes. This design honors the team's early years.

Team Rivalries

The Browns have rivalries with all three teams in their AFC North division. They also have historical rivalries with the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans.

Divisional Rivalries

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

This rivalry is often called the "Turnpike Rivalry." The Pittsburgh Steelers are the Browns' biggest rival. The teams are close in location. They have played each other twice a year since 1950. This makes it the oldest rivalry in the AFC. The Browns were very strong early on, winning many games. But the Steelers have been more dominant since the Browns returned in 1999. The Steelers lead the all-time series 79–61–1. They have met in the playoffs three times, with the Steelers winning two of those games.

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The "Battle of Ohio" is between the Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals. This rivalry started because of disagreements between Paul Brown and Art Modell. It is also fueled by the differences between Cleveland and Cincinnati. Both teams used to have similar orange colors. The Bengals now use a brighter orange. The Bengals lead the all-time series 52–48. This rivalry has been more competitive than the Browns' other division rivalries.

Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens

This rivalry started because the Browns moved to Baltimore. It was more about Art Modell moving the team than the new Baltimore Ravens team itself. For Cleveland, this matchup is more painful. The Ravens won a Super Bowl in 2000 with players who might have been Browns if the team hadn't moved. As of 2023, the Ravens lead the series 36–14.

Other Rivalries

Cleveland Browns vs. Detroit Lions

The Browns' rivalry with the Detroit Lions began in the 1950s. The Browns and Lions played each other in four NFL Championship Games. The Lions won three of those games. This was one of the NFL's best rivalries back then. Since 1970, they play much less often because the Browns moved to the AFC. The Lions lead the all-time series 19–6.

Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos

The Browns had a short but intense rivalry with the Denver Broncos. This was because they played each other in three AFC Championship Games from 1986 to 1989. In 1986, the Broncos won in overtime after a famous play called "The Drive." A year later, the Broncos won again after a play called "The Fumble," where the Browns lost the ball near the goal line. The Broncos also won their 1989 championship game easily.

This rivalry also had a memorable regular season game in 1989. The Browns won with a last-second field goal. The referee even made the teams switch sides of the field because fans were throwing things at the Broncos. The Broncos lead the overall series 25–7.

Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans

The Browns' rivalry with the Houston Oilers (now Tennessee Titans) started in 1970. They were both in the AFC Central division. They played each other twice a year until 2002. Since then, they play less often due to new division alignments. The Browns lead the overall series 37–32. The height of this rivalry was in the 1980s. The Oilers won their only playoff meeting in 1988. In 2014, the Browns made a huge comeback to win 29–28. In 2020, the Browns jumped to a big lead and held on to win a high-scoring game.

Fan Base

A study in 2006 said that Browns fans are the most loyal in the NFL. This study looked at how loyal fans were during good and bad seasons. It also looked at attendance and challenges like bad weather. The study noted that Browns fans filled almost all seats at Huntington Bank Field. This was true even when the team was not winning much.

Dawg Pound

The most famous Browns fans are in the Dawg Pound. This was originally the name for the bleacher section at the old Cleveland Stadium. Now, it is in the east end of Huntington Bank Field. Hundreds of fans wear orange and brown and dog-themed gear. The fans started using this name in 1984. This was after members of the Browns defense used it to describe themselves.

Retired player Hanford Dixon is credited with naming the defense 'The Dawgs'. He and his teammates would bark to get the fans excited. Because of this nickname, the Browns have used a bulldog as an alternate logo since the team returned.

Browns mascot Chomps greeting U.S. National Guard members in 2010.

Browns Backers

The biggest group of Browns fans is Browns Backers Worldwide (BBW). This group has about 305,000 members. Browns Backers clubs are in many cities across the United States. They are also in military bases around the world. The largest club is in Phoenix, Arizona. There are also clubs in places like Egypt, Australia, Japan, and even Antarctica. The two largest international fan clubs are in Alon Shvut, West Bank, and Niagara, Canada.

When former Browns owner Randy Lerner bought the English soccer club Aston Villa, official Villa stores started selling Browns items. This has made more people in England interested in the Browns. Aston Villa fans have even started their own Browns Backers group.

Players of Note

Current Roster

Players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame FB Jim Brown

Hall of Fame QB Otto Graham

Hall of Fame K/OT Lou Groza

Hall of Fame WR Dante Lavelli

Hall of Fame RB Leroy Kelly

Hall of Fame FB Marion Motley

Hall of Fame TE Ozzie Newsome

Hall of Fame LT Joe Thomas

The Cleveland Browns have many players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Seventeen players were chosen mainly for their time with the Browns. Nine more players or coaches who spent some time with the Browns are also in the Hall. Otto Graham was the first Browns player to be inducted in 1965. The most recent Browns player to join is Joe Thomas, in 2023. He is the first Browns player from the 21st century to be inducted.

Cleveland Browns Legends

1964 Cleveland Browns NFL Champions jersey signed by the team's players.

The Cleveland Browns have a "Legends" program. This honors former Browns players who made important contributions to the team's history. This list includes all the Hall of Famers and many other great players.

Retired Uniform Numbers

Cleveland Browns retired numbers
Otto Graham QB, 1946–1955	Jim Brown FB, 1957–1965	Ernie Davis HB, 1962	Don Fleming S, 1960–1962	Lou Groza OT/K, 1946–1959, 1961–1967

Ring of Honor

In 2010, the Browns started a Ring of Honor. This honors great players from the past. Their names are shown around the upper deck of Huntington Bank Field. The first group in 2010 included the 16 Hall of Famers who played for the Browns. In 2018, Joe Thomas was added. He was honored for playing a record number of consecutive snaps. In 2019, four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. joined the Ring of Honor.

A banner showing the first sixteen members of the Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor, unveiled in September 2010.

Statues Honoring Browns Players

Several Browns players and staff have statues made in their honor.

• At Huntington Bank Field:
  • Jim Brown, a Hall of Fame running back and 1964 NFL Champion (since 2016).
  • Otto Graham, a Hall of Fame quarterback and three-time NFL Champion (since 2019).
• In and around Cleveland:
  • Alfred Lerner, the late owner, has a statue in front of the team's headquarters in Berea, Ohio (since 2003).
  • Lou Groza, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle/kicker, has a statue in front of a youth football field named after him in Berea (since 2016).

Murals and Streets

Browns players are also featured on murals in downtown Cleveland. These include Jim Brown and Myles Garrett.

The street near Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland was renamed "Alfred Lerner Way" in 2002. The street where the Browns' headquarters are located in Berea, Ohio is named "Lou Groza Boulevard."

Starting Quarterbacks

First-Round Draft Picks

The Browns have had the first overall pick in the NFL Draft five times: in 1954, 1999, 2000, 2017, and 2018.

Coaches of Note

Head Coaches

The Browns have had 22 head coaches in their history.

Current Staff

Images for kids

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  Senior member of the owning family, Jimmy Haslam

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  EVP of Football Operations/GM Andrew Berry

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  Head Coach Kevin Stefanski

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  Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson

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  Five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett

See also

In Spanish: Cleveland Browns para niños