The Cleveland Browns, one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, have seen their fair share of ups and downs. The team, originally founded in 1945 by Arthur B. McBride and head coach Paul Brown, set a high standard early on, dominating the All-America Football Conference with four championship wins before transitioning to the NFL in 1950. Over the next few decades, the Browns established themselves as perennial contenders, epitomized by legendary players like Jim Brown and Otto Graham. However, the later part of the 20th century and the early 21st century were marked by struggles, culminating in the franchise’s controversial relocation to Baltimore in 1995 before being re-established as an expansion team in 1999.
### Early Success and Foundational Years
In their formative years, the Browns were characterized by innovation and dominance. Under Coach Paul Brown, the team revolutionized the sport with modern play-calling techniques and a professional approach to training. The early Browns roster boasted future Hall of Famers and made playoff appearances seem routine. Jim Brown, the team’s star running back from 1957 to 1965, remains a symbol of athletic prowess and determination, earning eight rushing titles in his nine-season career.