The Baltimore Ravens history is relatively short considering their inception was in 1996. They are a part of the AFC North Division and were established via a move of the Cleveland Browns team to Baltimore in 1995. Art Modells intentions were to move the team along with their name and equipment to Baltimore, but the NFL commissioner arranged for Modell to leave all names, colors, uniforms, and franchise information in Cleveland. The commissioner’s decision kept the option open for a new Cleveland Browns team to be re-established sometime in the future. Thus, Art moved his team to Baltimore and began playing in 1996, hence Baltimore Ravens history began as an expansion team. A new franchise was created for Cleveland in 1999.
Art Modell hired Ted Marchibroda as the coach; he was highly regarded for his work with the Baltimore Colts in the 1970s and the Indianapolis Colts through the early 90s. Ozzie Newsome, a former Browns tight end, was named director of football operations, and then promoted to the Vice President and General Manager position subsequently. Throughout Baltimore Ravens history they have played in Memorial Stadium, until 1998 when the newly built Raven Stadium was commemorated in Camden Yards. This same year the team lost their quarterback Vinny Testaverde to New York Jets and was replaced by Jim Harbaugh initially and then Eric Zeier later on.
Rod Woodson joined the team soon after, but the Ravens went on to have three losing seasons, which caused a new head coach to be named. Brian Billick became the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 1999, and they also acquired Tony Banks as quarterback for that season. Model sold his team due to financial troubles in 2000, giving 49% ownership to Steve Bisciotti. In 2004, Bisciotti purchased the other 51% of the team for $325 million, and he became the sole owner of the Baltimore Ravens.
The Baltimore Ravens history is unique if you look at their transition from their former town Cleveland. Unlike other NFL franchises that had moved to another location, the Ravens had to establish a new team name, new colors, and a whole new franchise. This move left many Browns fans feeling abandoned and angered. Unlike many NFL fans, the Cleveland Browns fans had always been diehards and the move was not taken kindly. The move, however, created a new fan base for the team, and most of the original Browns players were traded, retired, or moved on to other endeavors.
The first time in Baltimore Ravens history, they won their first Super Bowl in 2000, after a formidable season with a 12-4 record. They played in Tampa against the New York Giants, winning 34-7 and clinching the Super Bowl XXXV title with ease. This win made them the fourth pro football team from Baltimore to win a championship, following in the shoes of the NFL Colts, the USFL Stars, and the CFL Stallions. The team didn’t have much to note after this season, aside from financial problems which required them to get rid of many key players in the 2002 season. The 2004 season brought the final transfer of ownership into the hands of Steve Bisciotti, ending Art Modell’s 40 year career as an NFL owner. However, Modell still acts as a consultant for the team, and has his own office at the Baltimore Ravens headquarters.
The Baltimore Ravens history has always had relatively slow seasons until 2006, when Steve McNair led the team as quarterback, starting them off with a 4-0 record. They ended up with a 13-3 record that season, and won the AFC North title. They faced the Indianapolis Colts in the second round game, where they lost, giving the Colts the chance to become the Super Bowl champions that year. 2007 again showed the Ravens a losing season, and Brian Billick was dismissed after this season. John Harbaugh was brought in to coach the team in 2008, which led the Baltimore Ravens team back to the playoffs. They lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Steelers in the final round of the playoffs of 2008.
