NFL Team History- Baltimore Ravens

After the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1984, the city of Baltimore, Maryland no longer boasted a professional football franchise. This was a huge hit to the city that once adored their National Football League team. Since 1946, when the Miami Seahawks of the All-American Football Conference moved to Baltimore, the city was accustomed to the idea of having a pro football organization in their hometown.

After the Baltimore Colts were approved to enter the National Football League in 1950, they would commence to becoming one of the NFL's most storied organizations. So it came as no surprise that the city was devastated by the repositioning to Indianapolis. However, in the mid-1990's, Baltimore football fans received their wish.

On November 11th, 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell announced his intentions to transfer the beloved franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore. The fans in Cleveland, Ohio, who zealously supported the Browns for decades, were forced to undergo the same heartbreak that the fans in Baltimore suffered nearly a decade before.

However, the void that was present in Baltimore for over a decade had finally been filled.

As a result of the public disdain from fans in Cleveland, the Baltimore franchise developed their own identity, separating themselves from the venerable tradition that was the Cleveland Browns. They became known as the Baltimore Ravens.

Just six weeks prior, Ted Marchibroda was selected as the head coach.

The NFL granted the Baltimore Ravens the fourth overall draft pick in the 1996 draft. They utilized their early selection by drafting offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden out of UCLA. Their following pick was Ray Lewis, a linebacker out of Miami. Lewis has emerged into one of the most dominant players at the linebacker position.

The city of Baltimore fervently showed their appreciation for their new franchise as it was documented that over 50,000 tickets were sold in a span of only two weeks.