Why Are the Cleveland Browns Called the Browns? Inside the NFL Team's Meaning
Updated April 28 2021, 4:48 p.m. ET
There are 32 teams in the NFL, yet fans can't seem to get past one in particular: the Cleveland Browns. The name is a little out-of-the-box, and with Odell Beckham Jr. now on the squad, people are more curious than ever about the history of the team. So, why are the Cleveland Browns called the Browns? Scroll down for everything we know!
Why are the Cleveland Browns called the Browns?
So it turns out, there is some history behind the team name. The Browns are named after their original coach and co-founder, Paul Brown. But since the Browns isn't a mascot, the team has Brownie the Elf.
Paul first founded the organization back in 1945, however, their first four seasons were played in the all-American football conference from 1946 until 1949 until it folded.
They officially joined the NFL in 1950.
In 1953, the other co-founder, Arthur B. McBride, sold the team to a group of businessmen for a whopping $600,000 at the time. After eight years, the team was again sold to a group that was led by a New York advertising executive named Art Modell.
Art immediately fired coach Paul Brown just before the 1963 season, but (ironically) the team continued to succeed with their running back Jim Brown.
Even though Paul was gone, the Browns continued as the team name.
How many Super Bowls have the Cleveland Browns won?
While the Browns won three NFL championships between the 1950s and 1960s, they have yet to win a Super Bowl with the NFL. Even worse, they've never even appeared in the Super Bowl at all.
Who are some of the Cleveland Browns' biggest players?
Some of the Browns biggest players are Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, and many more.
The team's most notable players who have since retired are Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Ernie Davis, Don Fleming, and Lou Groza, all of whom have a retired number with the franchise.
When are the Cleveland Browns playing next?
The Browns' next game is on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. against the Baltimore Ravens.
Oddly enough, the Browns almost became a Baltimore team. In 1995, Art Modell announced he'd be taking the team from Cleveland to Baltimore, but the fans and city took legal action against him.
As a solution, he established the Baltimore Ravens as a new franchise and kept the Browns in Cleveland.
What is the Cleveland Browns' record for the 2019-2020 season so far?
The Browns are currently 1-2 for this season, having won against the Jets and lost against the Titans and Rams. Their record has put them in second place in the AFC North.
And with 13 more weeks to go in the NFL season, the team still has a good chance of racking up a lot of wins. And who knows, maybe they'll even make their way to their first Super Bowl ever. Fingers crossed...