The Baltimore Ravens are a National Football League team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

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. Browns owner Art Modell, in a secretive move, agreed to move the team to Baltimore despite being supported by the citizens of Cleveland. Modell declined an offer for a new stadium because the new facility would only house 68,000 vs the old and decrepit Cleveland Stadium which housed 80,000. 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.

Founded: 1996.

Home field: M&T Bank Stadium (formerly PSInet Stadium and Ravens Stadium)

Previous home field: Memorial Stadium (1996-1997)

Uniform colors: Black, Purple, Metallic Gold, and White. (The primary home uniform is a purple jersey and white pants. In 2004, the team introduced an alternate attire of black jersey and black pants for a game broadcast on ESPN.)

Helmet design: A black helmet with a purple and black raven's head in profile, with the letter "B" superimposed in metallic gold and white. Purple "talons" rise up from the facemask up the center of the helmet.

League championships won: 2000

Mascots: Edgar , Allan , and Poe

Super Bowl appearances: XXXV (won)

Franchise history

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). Ozzie Newsome, Cleveland's prolific tight end for many seasons, joined Modell in Baltimore as director of football operations - later promoted to Vice President/General Manager.

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 Broncos in the first round of the playoffs, the Ravens bested the Tennessee Titans (owners of the regular season's best record) and the Oakland Raiders 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 third wild card team to win a Super Bowl championship.

In 2001, the Ravens attempted to defend their title, but injuries and poor offensive performance stymied the team. They won a wild card berth again, and beat the Miami Dolphins in the first round, but were soundly thumped by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the next round.

In 2003, the Ravens won their first AFC North division title. The Ravens lost to the Titans in a close first round game at home. After the season, Art Modell officially transferred ownership of the team to Steve Bisciotti , a local businessman, ending over 40 years of tenure as an NFL franchise owner.

Players of note

Pro Football Hall of Famers

Current stars

• Kyle Boller
• Peter Boulware
• Kelley Gregg
• Todd Heap
• Jamal Lewis
• Ray Lewis
• Derrick Mason
• Chris McAlister
• Edwin Mulitalo
• Jonathan Ogden
• Ed Reed
• Samari Rolle
• Deion Sanders
• Matt Stover
• Terrell Suggs
• Will Demps

Note: Mason and Rolle signed as unrestricted free agents after playing for many seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Retired numbers

The Ravens have not honored any player by retiring his jersey, but a "Ring of Honor" was established at M&T Bank Stadium. The following have been honored through the 2004 season:

• Earnest Byner (who played for Modell in both Cleveland and Baltimore, a fact that rancors some Raven fans.
• Michael McCrary
• Art Modell (former owner)
• "Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts" (following the death of the legendary quarterback in 2002.)

Not to be forgotten

• Gary Baxter
• Trent Dilfer
• Elvis Grbac
• Jim Harbaugh
• Edgerton Hartwell
• Priest Holmes
• Terrell Owens (very briefly with the team until an attempted trade with the San Francisco 49ers was aborted; Owens later was traded to his team of choice, the Philadelphia Eagles.)
• Shannon Sharpe
• Jamie Sharper
• Tony Siragusa
• Duane Starks
• Brandon Stokley
• Travis Taylor
• Vinny Testaverde
• Eric Turner
• Rod Woodson

External links

• Baltimore Ravens official web site
• RavensInsider Fan Site