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The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are a member of the North Division in the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). The Browns have a storied history with a passionate fan base, known for their resilience and loyalty despite numerous challenges and setbacks over the years.
### Historical Overview
#### Founding and Early Success
– **Inception**: The Browns were founded in 1944 by businessman Arthur B. “Mickey” McBride and coach Paul Brown. They began play in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).
– **Dominance in AAFC**: The Browns dominated the AAFC, winning all four championships before the league dissolved in 1949.
– **Joining the NFL**: The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 and immediately continued their success by winning the NFL Championship in their first season.
#### Golden Era
– **1950s and 1960s**: Under coach Paul Brown, the team remained highly competitive, winning NFL Championships in 1950, 1954, 1955, and 1964. Key players during this period included quarterback Otto Graham, running back Jim Brown, and wide receiver Paul Warfield.
### Struggles and Rebuilding
#### The Move to Baltimore
– **1995 Controversy**: In 1995, then-owner Art Modell announced he would move the team to Baltimore, where it became the Baltimore Ravens. The move was highly controversial and deeply resented by Browns fans.
– **Cleveland Browns Rebirth**: As a compromise, the NFL agreed to re-establish the Browns as a new team in 1999, retaining the franchise’s history, records, and intellectual property.
#### The New Era
– **Post-1999 Struggles**: Since their return, the Browns have struggled to regain their former glory, experiencing numerous losing seasons and frequent changes in coaching and management.
– **Recent Developments**: The Browns have shown signs of improvement in recent years, with a more stable front office and promising young talent.
### Recent Success and Current Team
#### 2020 Playoff Run
– **Playoff Appearance**: In the 2020 season, the Browns made the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
– **Playoff Victory**: They won their first playoff game since 1994, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.
#### Key Players
– **Baker Mayfield**: Drafted as the first overall pick in 2018, Mayfield
