Subscribe to our newsletter

NFL Approves Ravens’ Move 20 Years Ago

After the approval of Ravens' move to Baltimore, Art Modell and Ozzie Newsome in a golf cart.
Photo credit: Roberto Borea/AP
Share
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Reading Time: 2 minutes

On Friday, February 9, 1996, the NFL approved the move of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore.

Twenty years ago yesterday, Baltimore got its football back. Sure, the Stallions were in town from 1994-95, and even won the Grey Cup in their second season. But, at least for me, I didn’t feel like I had a team to root for until the purple and black came to town.

According to the New York Times, the deal almost fell through, as three days earlier Art Modell was hesitant to agree to pay the city of Cleveland $2.5 million in damages. However, Modell ended up agreeing to pay the city of Cleveland $12 million over a four-year period.

This time 20 years ago was an uncertain one for more NFL cities than just Cleveland and Baltimore. A week prior to this announcement, the Seahawks reportedly expressed interest in moving to Anaheim, or Los Angeles; a city which was vacated by the Raiders and Rams one year earlier.

A lot was going on in the NFL during this time; many moving parts were in play. At the time, Modell didn’t even know what the name of his new franchise would be. He was also unsure about who would coach this team, although Bill Belichick and Don Shula had the potential to be apart of the organization in some capacity.

Of course, Modell ended up going with (the late) Ted Marchibroda to be the first head coach in Ravens history. Modell led Baltimore to a 16-31-1 record from 1996-98. In his last game ever (12/27/98), the Ravens sent Marchibroda out on top, as they beat the Lions in Baltimore, 19-10. One day before that, Minnesota Offensive Coordinator Brian Billick was putting the finishing touches on a 15-1 regular season.

While Marchibroda and Billick differed in some aspects of their philosophy, they were one in their desire to win. They were linked together, in that regard, as were the Baltimore players and the Baltimore fans.

Baltimore fans have been, are, and will continue to be passionate, loyal, and expectant of a great product from their players, on and off the field. While it’s not easy to stay positive when the team isn’t performing well, Baltimore fans do so better than most. When you think about it, that attitude was and is mirrored by Baltimore Colts and Ravens players.

Twenty years ago as of yesterday, 25 of the 30 NFL owners (83 percent) approved the move of the Browns franchise to Baltimore. But they didn’t just cast a vote. Those 25 owners made a choice that would emphatically restore joy to a town that was left heartbroken for more than a decade.

Now, with two Super Bowls in hand and another promise-filled season on the horizon, Ravens fans can look back with thanks, and look forward with hope.

Don’t Miss Anything at RSR. Subscribe Here!
Latest posts
Join our newsletter and get 20% discount
Promotion nulla vitae elit libero a pharetra augue