Baltimore Ravens
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.