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In some accounts there is confusion over the history of the Baltimore Ravens. This is due to the unusual and unprecedented actions taken by the city of Cleveland, Ohio and the National Football League following the relocation of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996. The deal made between these two parties stipulates that the team name, colors, and history of the franchise were to remain in Cleveland. For that reason, past records and Hall of Fame players are attributed to the Cleveland Browns and not to the Baltimore Ravens. See the Franchise History entry for the Cleveland Browns for full details of the move.
The Baltimore Ravens' first season was in 1996 after owner Art Modell relocated the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore. Modell also hired Ted Marchibroda to coach the team (an interesting choice because Marchibroada had, during his coaching career, coached the Baltimore Colts during the 1970s and the Indianapolis Colts during the 1990s).
After three consecutive losing seasons, Marchibroda was succeeded by Brian Billick , who had served as the offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings the season before.
Under Billick's guidance, the Ravens made the playoffs for the first time after the 2000 season. After defeating the Denver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a National Football League team based in Denver, Colorado. A charter member of the American Football League, they were a backwater small-market team that met with little success in their early years but have since become one of the in the first round of the playoffs, the Ravens bested the Tennessee TitansThe Tennessee Titans are a National Football League team based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded: 1960 As the Houston Oilers charter members and first Champions of the American Football League. Joined NFL in 1970 merger) :Formerly known as: Houston Oilers (owners of the regular season's best record) and the Oakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a National Football League team based in Oakland, California. Founded 1960 (charter American Football League member; joined NFL in 1970 merger) Formerly known as Los Angeles Raiders ( 1982- 1994) Home stadium Network Associates Col to win a berth in Super Bowl XXXV, where they defeated the New York Giants by a score of 34-7 in January, 2001, thereby becoming only the second wild card team to win a Super Bowl championship.
In 2003, the Ravens won their first AFC North division title.
After the 2003 season, Art Modell officially transferred ownership of the team to Steve Biscotti , ending over 40 years of tenure as an NFL franchise owner.