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— CH. 1 · THE 1995 RELOCATION —

Baltimore Ravens

~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections
  • On the 6th of November 1995, Art Modell announced his intention to move the Cleveland Browns franchise to Baltimore. The announcement sent shockwaves through the city of Cleveland and ignited a legal battle that would reshape the NFL landscape. Modell had been struggling financially and clashed with Cleveland officials over stadium improvements. The league eventually reached a settlement on the 8th of February 1996, which allowed Modell to take his players and staff to Baltimore while leaving the team's history, colors, and records in Cleveland for a new expansion team. This unique arrangement meant the Ravens began as an expansion franchise despite inheriting most of the Browns' personnel. Steve Bisciotti later became the majority owner in 2004 after purchasing the remaining 51% stake from Modell for $325 million. By 2023, the franchise was valued at $4.63 billion, making it the 28th-most valuable sports franchise globally.

  • The 2000 season marked a turning point when the Ravens established themselves as one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. They held opposing teams to just 165 total points, breaking the previous record set by the 1986 Chicago Bears. Ray Lewis won Defensive Player of the Year honors, while teammates Sam Adams and Rod Woodson made the Pro Bowl. The defense forced five turnovers in Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants, including a touchdown return by Duane Starks off a Kerry Collins interception. Despite offensive struggles that saw the team go five games without scoring an offensive touchdown, the unit carried them to a 12, 4 record and their first playoff appearance. The 2000 Ravens remain in discussions alongside the 1985 Chicago Bears as one of the league's greatest defensive units ever assembled.

  • Baltimore claimed its first championship on the 27th of January 2001, defeating the New York Giants 34, 7 in Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium. The game featured four sacks and five forced turnovers, with Jermaine Lewis returning a kickoff for a touchdown immediately after Ron Dixon returned a kickoff for a score. Twelve years later, the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII on the 3rd of February 2013, beating the San Francisco 49ers 34, 31 in what became known as the Blackout Bowl due to a 34-minute power outage in the Superdome. Joe Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns to earn MVP honors. The victory capped a season where the team finished 10, 6 and defeated the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots en route to the title.

  • Ted Marchibroda served as the inaugural head coach from 1996 through 1998 before being fired following three consecutive losing seasons. Brian Billick took over in 1999 and led the team to two Super Bowl appearances, winning one in 2000 before departing after a 5, 11 finish in 2007. John Harbaugh arrived in 2008 as the special teams coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles and has since become the longest-tenured head coach with 172 wins across 18 seasons. He guided the franchise to another championship in 2012 and multiple division titles. In January 2026, Jesse Minter was hired as the fourth head coach in franchise history after serving on the Ravens staff from 2017 to 2020 and previously working as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.

  • The 2018 NFL draft saw Baltimore select Lamar Jackson with the 32nd overall pick. After starting the season 4, 5, Jackson took over as quarterback when Joe Flacco suffered a hip injury. The team won six of their next seven games to finish 10, 6 and claim the AFC North title. In 2019, Jackson became only the second player in league history to rush for over 1,000 yards from the quarterback position, breaking Michael Vick's single-season record of 1,037 yards. That same year, the Ravens set an NFL record with 3,296 rushing yards during the regular season. Jackson was unanimously voted AP NFL MVP, becoming only the second player ever to receive that honor after Tom Brady in 2010. His dual-threat style transformed the offense into a record-breaking rushing attack while maintaining elite passing efficiency.

  • The name Ravens emerged from a fan contest drawing 33,288 voters who chose the moniker inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven. Poe spent his early career in Baltimore and is buried there, creating a deep cultural connection between the city and its new franchise. Other names considered included Marauders, Americans, and Bombers. The team faces intense divisional rivalries, particularly against the Pittsburgh Steelers, separated by less than five hours along Interstate 70. The series stands at 33, 25 in favor of Pittsburgh as of the end of the 2024 season. Games often come down to under four points in recent years. The rivalry with the Cleveland Browns began when the Browns resumed operations in 1999 after suspending play for three seasons following Modell's move. The Ravens hold a 37, 15 series lead over the Browns through 2024.

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Common questions

When did the Baltimore Ravens franchise officially begin operations?

The Baltimore Ravens began play in 1996 after Art Modell announced his intention to move the Cleveland Browns franchise on the 6th of November 1995. The league reached a settlement on the 8th of February 1996 that allowed Modell to take players and staff to Baltimore while leaving history and records in Cleveland.

Who is the current head coach of the Baltimore Ravens as of January 2026?

Jesse Minter was hired as the fourth head coach in franchise history in January 2026 after serving on the Ravens staff from 2017 to 2020. He previously worked as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers before taking over the role.

What year did the Baltimore Ravens win their first Super Bowl championship?

Baltimore claimed its first championship on the 27th of January 2001 by defeating the New York Giants 34, 7 in Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium. The team won again twelve years later on the 3rd of February 2013 when they beat the San Francisco 49ers 34, 31 in Super Bowl XLVII.

How many rushing yards did the Baltimore Ravens record during the 2019 regular season?

The Baltimore Ravens set an NFL record with 3,296 rushing yards during the 2019 regular season. Quarterback Lamar Jackson became only the second player in league history to rush for over 1,000 yards from the quarterback position that same year.

Who purchased a majority stake in the Baltimore Ravens and when did the transaction occur?

Steve Bisciotti became the majority owner in 2004 after purchasing the remaining 51% stake from Art Modell for $325 million. By 2023, the franchise was valued at $4.63 billion making it the 28th-most valuable sports franchise globally.

All sources

185 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webRavens HistoryNFL Enterprises, LLC
  2. 2webBaltimore Ravens Team FactsNFL Enterprises, LLC
  3. 4webRavens Naming of the TeamNFL Enterprises, LLC
  4. 5webBaltimore Ravens Team CapsuleNFL Enterprises, LLC — July 20, 2022
  5. 6webRavens Fight SongNFL Enterprises, LLC
  6. 7webRavens Front Office RosterNFL Enterprises
  7. 8webRavens MascotsNFL Enterprises, LLC
  8. 11webDaily Cover The World's 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2023Mike Ozanian et al. — September 8, 2023
  9. 13webFranchise nicknamesNFL Enterprises, LLC — January 1, 2005
  10. 14webBaltimore Ravens Team HistoryNFL Enterprises, LLC
  11. 18webRalph SmithNWBA — August 17, 2014
  12. 21webA bitter pill still lodged in the throat of BaltimoreMike Burke — January 12, 1997
  13. 24newsAngelos wants a football team, nobody laughsMichael Olesker — May 10, 1994
  14. 25newsRams owner describes interest in BaltimoreT.J. Simers — December 4, 1993
  15. 26newsTrial may force NFL to address BaltimoreVito Stellino — March 26, 1995
  16. 27webIn this museum, a history lesson for TagliabueKen Rosenthal — September 6, 1998
  17. 28newsRams moving closer to St. LouisJon Morgan — December 15, 1994
  18. 29newsNice Seeing You, SeahawksMike Downey — February 14, 1996
  19. 32webRavens' 1996 draft class ranked as best in last 25 yearsNathan Beaucage — USA Today — April 21, 2018
  20. 33webRaves Fire MarchibrodaDecember 28, 1998
  21. 37webComparing the 1985 Chicago Bears and 2000 Baltimore Ravens defensesPaul Banks — USA Today — May 13, 2024
  22. 50webVinatieri kicks Colts past Ravens, into AFC title gameDavid Ginsburg — June 4, 2018
  23. 54webOn this day in 2008, Ravens open season with new coach and new quarterbackLindsey Ok — USA Today — September 7, 2017
  24. 68webWitnesses: Suggs was hurt playing basketballAdam Schefter — June 5, 2012
  25. 76webWeird, wild Ravens are ready to shake up the Super BowlBill Plaschke — January 20, 2013
  26. 79webPlanned safety makes it 34–31 RavensJon Benne — February 3, 2013
  27. 81webRavens QB Joe Flacco is Super Bowl MVPHoward Fendrich — February 4, 2013
  28. 85webRavens hire Kubiak as offensive coordinatorJamison Hensley — January 27, 2014
  29. 86webNFL suspends Ravens RB Rice for 2 gamesAdam Schefter et al. — July 24, 2014
  30. 98webRavens trade up to take Lamar Jackson at No. 32Chris Wesseling — April 26, 2018
  31. 103webBroncos trade for Ravens QB Joe FlaccoHerbie Teope — February 13, 2019
  32. 105newsRavens Tie NFL Record With 12 Pro BowlersClifton Brown — NFL Enterprises, LLC — December 17, 2019
  33. 107newsLate for Work 12/30: Ravens Finish Regular Season in Style vs. SteelersJoe Schiller — NFL Enterprises, LLC — December 30, 2019
  34. 109webLamar Jackson's Second MVP Puts Him in Historic CompanyClifton Brown — February 9, 2024
  35. 122web'Hungry' Lamar powers Ravens' second-half surgeJamison Hensley — January 21, 2024
  36. 123webChiefs head to fourth Super Bowl in 5 years with win vs. RavensNate Taylor et al. — January 28, 2024
  37. 124webLate for Work: Ravens Have the NFL's Most 'Dangerous' OffenseKyle Phoenix — The Baltimore Ravens
  38. 143magazineCommanders' Sale Spawns Rivalry With Ravens?Connor Zimmerlee — July 21, 2023
  39. 144newsBALTIMORE NFL BACKERS SAY COOKE UNDERCUT EFFORTS TO LAND TEAMLeonard Shapiro et al. — December 8, 1993
  40. 149newsLogo artist files copyright lawsuits against Ravens, NFLLorraine Mirabella — July 2, 2012
  41. 152webEvolution Of The Ravens UniformNFL Enterprises, LLC
  42. 153webBack in blackJune 10, 2010
  43. 155webRavens Wearing Gold Pants, Purple Jerseys SundayGarrett Downing — NFL Enterprises, LLC — December 20, 2015
  44. 156webWhat was up with those gold-tinged Ravens pants?Marc Sessler — December 22, 2015
  45. 158newsRavens To Go With All-Purple Uniforms For Color Rush GameGarrett Downing — NFL Enterprises, LLC — September 13, 2016
  46. 159newsRavens Reveal New Alternate HelmetClifton Brown — June 18, 2024
  47. 160webRavens reveal new alternate 'Purple Rising' helmetNick Shook — June 18, 2024
  48. 164magazineHow the Marching Ravens Made Baltimore a Football Town AgainGreg Bishop — January 25, 2024
  49. 165webRetired jersey numbers for all 32 NFL teamsDane Beavers — March 18, 2016
  50. 166webRavens Ring of HonorNFL Enterprises, LLC
  51. 167webHall of Famers: Yearly FinalistsNFL Enterprises, LLC
  52. 168webHall of Famers by Year of EnshrinementNFL Enterprises, LLC
  53. 169webTeam Usually Wins 'Ring Of Honor' GamesJoe Platania — June 2, 2011
  54. 171newsUnitas inducted into Ravens' Ring of HonorAssociated Press — October 20, 2002
  55. 173newsRaven's McCrary inducted into Ring of HonorAaron Wilson — MSN — October 5, 2004
  56. 174webRAVENS ALL TIME LEADING PASS RUSHER ENTERS RING OF HONORAaron Wilson — October 21, 2006
  57. 175webRing Of Honor: Jonathan OgdenBaltimore Ravens — January 31, 2011
  58. 176webMatt Stover Ring Of Honor InductionBaltimore Ravens — November 20, 2011
  59. 177webJamal Lewis Ring Of Honor InductionBaltimore Ravens — September 28, 2012
  60. 179webTodd Heap Going Into Ravens Ring of HonorGarrett Downing — May 14, 2014
  61. 183webMarshal Yanda to Join Ring of Honor on Dec. 4Clifton Brown — September 13, 2022
  62. 184webTerrell Suggs to Join Ring of HonorClifton Brown — August 24, 2023