Highlights of the Cleveland Browns on the field and off the field
The Browns joined the NFL in 1950 after four championship seasons in the All- American Football Conference 1946-1949. They also won the NFL championship in 1950.
In 1957, Browns select Syracuse fullback Jim Brown in the first round of the NFL draft.
In 1961, Art Modell purchases the Cleveland Browns for the then unheard of sum of $4 million. But under new ownership, the Browns would continue to fall short of the playoffs finishing in third place with a record of 8-5-1
In 1962, and a 7-6-1 season, Coach Paul Brown (the man for which the franchise was named) was fired and replaced by Assistant Blanton Collier.
In 1963, the Browns advanced to the NFL Championship game for the eighth time.
Photos: Browns ownership through the years
In 1966, Jim Brown announces from the set of "The Dirty Dozen" his retirement at the age of 30, to pursue an acting career.
In 1970, the Browns are one of three NFL teams shifted to the AFC as the NFL fully takes over the AFL in the process evening both conferences at 13 teams each. On Sept. 21, the Browns claim a piece of history as they defeated the New York Jets 31-21 in the first-ever Monday Night Football game.
In 1975, the Browns have their first season under Coach Forrest Gregg. Prior to the final game of the season, Gregg is dismissed, and replaced by Dick Modzelewski
In 1978, with new Coach Sam Rutigliano, they finish 9-7.
In 1980, the Browns were known as the Kardiac Kids with multiple come-from-behind wins.
In 1984, the Browns replace Rutigliano with Defensive Coordinator Marty Schottenheimer.
In 1985, rookie Quarterback Bernie Kosar takes over reins of the offense and leads the Browns to an 8-8 record
In 1988, the Browns had four different starting quarterbacks and right after the season ended, Schottenheimer resigned to take a lucrative pay raise to coach the Kansas City Chiefs.
In 1989, the Browns had Head Coach Bud Carson at the helm
In 1990, after a 2-7 start, Carson was fired, and replaced by Jim Shofner.
In 1991, the Browns now had Coach Bill Belichick
In 1993, just prior to the season, the Browns signed free agent Quarterback Vinny Testaverde as a back-up to his former University of Miami teammate Bernie Kosar. However, when Testaverde performed better, the Browns released Kosar in the middle of the season
In 1995, owner Art Modell announced that he was moving the team to Baltimore and the Browns finished the season 5-11.
In 1996, the City of Cleveland began fighting Modell and the NFL in an attempt to keep the Browns in Cleveland. In the end, Modell would be allowed to move the team to Baltimore, but he would not be allowed to take the Browns history with him. The deal also stipulated that Cleveland would get a new NFL franchise in 1999 that would take up the history of the Browns.
In 1998, Al Lerner won a bidding war for ownership of the Browns for $530 million. Lerner named Carmen Policy, and Dwight Clark away to serve as the Browns president and vice president, respectively.
On Sept. 12, 1999, the NFL returned to Cleveland when the Browns played the Pittsburgh Steelers under Coach Chris Palmer. In this season, the Browns went 2-14 and 0-8 at home.
In 2000, after the 3-13 season, the Browns fired Palmer.
In 2001, under new Coach Butch Davis, the Browns finished 7-9.
In 2002, Browns owner Al Lerner died on Oct. 24, succumbing to cancer. With a 9-7 record, the Browns would qualify for the playoffs for the first time since returning to the NFL in 1999.
In 2003, a quarterback controversy between Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb pervaded the season. Following the season the Browns would end their controversy by cutting Tim Couch and signing Free Agent Jeff Garcia from the 49ers, while Kelly Holcomb stayed on as the back up.
In 2004, the Browns started strong but then had a string of injuries. After Game 12, Davis resigned and the team was led by interim Coach Terry Robiskie and finished the season 4-12. Following the season the Browns hired Coach Romeo Crennel.
In 2005, the Browns finished 6-10 under Crennel.
In 2006, after a 4-12 season, the Browns drafted Quarterback Brady Quinn 22nd overall
In 2007, the Browns had three quarterbacks in Charlie Frye, Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson and finished the season 10-6.
In 2008, a 4-12 record cost Crennel his job as he was replaced by Eric Mangini following the season.
In 2009 under Mangini, Josh Cribbs set an NFL record with his seventh and eighth career kickoff return for a touchdown as the Browns beat the Kansas City Chiefs on the road 41-34. The Browns finished with a record of 5-11 and Mike Holmgren joined the Browns as the new personnel director.
In 2010, Holmgren traded Quinn to the Denver Broncos for RB Peyton Hillis and a draft pick. The Browns also released QB Derek Anderson and signed Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, while drafting Colt McCoy. They finished the season at 5-11 and Mangini was out and Coach Pat Shurmur was in.
In 2011, for the second year under Shurmur, the Browns went 4-12.
July 27, 2012: It's revealed owner Randy Lerner is in talks to sell the team.
Aug. 2, 2012: Jimmy Haslam purchases the Browns for more than $1 billion -- the 4th-highest financial transaction in sports history.
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