NFL Team Guide
Cleveland Browns: History, Super Bowls & Facts
The Cleveland Browns began play in 1946 in the All-America Football Conference and joined the NFL in 1950. They won four AAFC titles and four NFL championships, the last in 1964.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1944 (franchise granted); first season 1946 in the AAFC |
|---|---|
| Joined the NFL | 1950 |
| League titles | 4 AAFC (1946–1949) and 4 NFL (1950, 1954, 1955, 1964) |
| Stadium | Lakefront stadium in Cleveland, opened 1999 and later named Huntington Bank Field; a domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio, is planned to open in 2029 |
| Name | Named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown |
Super Bowl history
The Browns won eight league titles before the Super Bowl era, four in the AAFC and four in the NFL. As of 2026 they are one of four NFL teams that have never played in a Super Bowl.
- 1946 AAFC Championship: beat the New York Yankees 14–9
- 1947 AAFC Championship: beat the New York Yankees 14–3
- 1948 AAFC Championship: beat the Buffalo Bills 49–7
- 1949 AAFC Championship: beat the San Francisco 49ers 21–7
- 1950 NFL Championship: beat the Los Angeles Rams 30–28
- 1954 NFL Championship: beat the Detroit Lions 56–10
- 1955 NFL Championship: beat the Los Angeles Rams 38–14
- 1964 NFL Championship: beat the Baltimore Colts 27–0
- Lost AFC Championship Games to the Denver Broncos after the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons
Franchise history
- 1946: Began play in the AAFC and won the first of four straight league titles.
- 1950: Joined the NFL and won the championship in their first NFL season.
- 1963: Owner Art Modell, who bought the team in 1961, fired Paul Brown.
- 1995: Modell announced a move to Baltimore; the Browns name, colors and history stayed in Cleveland.
- 1996–1998: The team was inactive while Modell's franchise became the Baltimore Ravens.
- 1999: Returned to play in a new lakefront stadium in Cleveland.
- 2026: Broke ground on April 30 on a domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio, planned to open in 2029.
Franchise record holders
| Passing yards | Brian Sipe, 23,713 (1974–1983) |
|---|---|
| Rushing yards | Jim Brown, 12,312 (1957–1965) |
| Receptions | Ozzie Newsome, 662 (1978–1990) |
Retired numbers
- 14Otto Graham
- 32Jim Brown
- 45Ernie Davis
- 46Don Fleming
- 76Lou Groza
Hall of Famers
Paul Brown, Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, Bill Willis, Mac Speedie, Len Ford, Frank Gatski, Mike McCormack, Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Gene Hickerson, Paul Warfield, Ozzie Newsome, Joe Thomas.
Biggest rivalries
- Pittsburgh Steelers: the Turnpike Rivalry between the two AFC North teams.
- Cincinnati Bengals: the Battle of Ohio, an in-state division rivalry.
- Baltimore Ravens: the team Art Modell established in Baltimore in 1996 after moving his franchise out of Cleveland.
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Why are they called the Browns?
The team is named after Paul Brown, its original coach and co-founder.
Have the Browns ever been to the Super Bowl?
No. As of 2026 the Browns have never played in a Super Bowl. They lost AFC Championship Games to Denver after the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons.
When did the Browns last win a championship?
In 1964, when they beat the Baltimore Colts 27–0 in the NFL Championship Game.
Why were there no Browns from 1996 to 1998?
Owner Art Modell moved his team to Baltimore, where it became the Ravens. Cleveland kept the Browns name and history, and a new Browns team began play in 1999.
Where will the Browns play in the future?
The team broke ground on April 30, 2026, on a domed stadium in Brook Park, Ohio. It is planned to open for the 2029 season.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.