The Cleveland Browns are one of the NFL’s most storied and historic franchises, founded in 1946 and named after their first head coach and co-founder, Paul Brown, a pioneer of modern football strategy. The team quickly became a powerhouse in the late 1940s and 1950s, winning multiple championships before the Super Bowl era. Despite decades of struggles in the modern NFL, the Browns remain a cornerstone franchise with a loyal fan base that has endured highs, lows, and the team’s relocation saga in the 1990s, when the franchise was controversially moved to Baltimore. When football returned to Cleveland in 1999, the Browns carried forward their original name, colors, and history, making them unique among NFL teams.
Cleveland, Ohio, is a city built on grit, industry, and resilience, traits that are deeply reflected in its football culture. Browns fans—often referred to as the “Dawg Pound”—are among the most passionate and enduring in all of sports. Even during long stretches of losing seasons, the fan base has remained fiercely loyal, filling stadium seats and supporting the team with unwavering devotion. Football is ingrained in Cleveland’s identity, providing a unifying force for the city and its surrounding communities, which rally behind their team regardless of circumstance.
The Browns play their home games at Cleveland Browns Stadium, a lakefront venue located along the shores of Lake Erie. Opened in 1999, the stadium was built on the same site where the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium once stood, maintaining a symbolic connection to the franchise’s deep roots. With a seating capacity of over 67,000, the stadium provides an intense game-day environment, particularly in the Dawg Pound section, where some of the NFL’s most enthusiastic fans gather. Exposed to lakefront winds and winter weather, the venue embodies the rugged spirit of Cleveland football—a tough place to play and an even tougher place to beat the home team.
