When Did The Ravens Join The NFL?
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In 1996, the Ravens were established as an expansion team after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, moved the franchise to Baltimore.
The History of the Ravens
The Ravens joined the NFL in 1996 as an expansion team. The team was named after Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven.” The Ravens started off their inaugural season with a bang, winning their first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team went on to have a successful first season, finishing with a record of 8-8.
The team’s origins in Cleveland
The Ravens began play in 1996, when Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced plans to relocate the franchise to Baltimore. The Browns’ intellectual property, including team name, logos, training facility, and history, were left in Cleveland with the former Browns franchise—which was renamed the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns’ name and legal position as a separate NFL entity were retained by Modell and the league through a settlement reached in early 1996.
The team played their first game against the Oakland Raiders at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore on September 1, 1996. The Ravens defeated the Raiders 19–14 in their inaugural game.Modell hired Ted Marchibroda as the head coach of his new team. The Ravens shared Memorial Stadium with a major league baseball team for their first six seasons of existence: from 1996 until 1998 with the Orioles (who had vacated nearby Camden Yards for that season while it was being constructed), and then again from 1999 until 2001 with the expansion Baltimore Orioles (who had recently returned to Camden Yards).
The team’s move to Baltimore
The team’s move to Baltimore was announced on November 6, 1995. The teams’ owner, Art Modell, had reached an agreement with the city of Baltimore that would see the team relocate from Cleveland to Baltimore, pending approval from NFL owners. The move was approved by a vote of 21 to 3 by league owners at a meeting in Dallas on March 27, 1996.
The Ravens’ first game in Baltimore was played on September 1, 1996 against the Oakland Raiders at Memorial Stadium. The Ravens won the game by a score of 19-14.
The Ravens’ first season in Baltimore was very successful. The team finished the season with a record of 12-4 and won the AFC Central division title. They went on to win two playoff games, including a 34-31 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game. The Ravens then lost to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl by a score of 34-28.
The Ravens in the NFL
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They are members of the National Football League (NFL)’s American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The Ravens were established in 1996, when Art Modell, who was then the owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced plans to relocate the franchise to Baltimore.
The team’s first season in the NFL
The Ravens joined the NFL in 1996, after the team’s owner Art Modell announced his plans to move the franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore. The team’s first season in the NFL was a success, as they finished with a record of 9-7 and qualified for the playoffs. The Ravens then went on to win their first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, before losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
The team’s success in the 2000s
Since joining the NFL in 1996, the Ravens have been one of the most successful teams in the league. In 2000, they won their first Super Bowl, and they’ve made the playoffs 11 times in their 25-year history. The team’s success in the 2000s was led by their defense, which was nicknamed “The Steel Curtain 2.0” after the famous Pittsburgh Steelers defense of the 1970s.
The Ravens Today
The team’s recent success
The Ravens have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL over the past decade. They have won two Super Bowls, and have made the playoffs six times since they joined the league in 1996. The team’s recent success has been due in large part to their strong defense, which has been one of the best in the league over that span.
The team’s future prospects
The team’s future prospects look good. They have a strong nucleus of young talent, and they are well-coached. They should be able to compete for a playoff spot for years to come.