It was 29 years ago in early November of 1995, when then Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell announced in Baltimore Maryland that the Cleveland Browns are moving to the city of Baltimore to start the 1996 NFL season. Browns fans all over the world were shocked and rightfully angry. The next day Cuyahoga County Ohio was voting on an extension of the Syntax to remodel and refurbish the home stadium of the Browns Cleveland Municipal Stadium. That extension measure passed by an 80% for and 20% against margin. What came next was monumental for the future of the Cleveland Browns.

The City of Cleveland took Art Modell to court, this was because he had 3 years left in his lease with the city. The lease was considered to be legally airtight with no loopholes for Modell to break it. He was stuck to remain in Cleveland for 3 more years. The NFL did intervene to remediate and resolve the issue. In February of 1996, what was agreed upon was Modell can move the team to Baltimore, but he will leave the team’s name, colors, and history in Cleveland. The NFL promised an NFL team in Cleveland by 1999 whether it is an expansion team or a relocated team. And the city of Cleveland had to build a new stadium by 1999. It turns out that the team awarded to Cleveland was an expansion team.

In September of 1998 the expansion Cleveland Browns franchise was awarded to the Al Lerner ownership group to begin play in 1999. They had 11 months to put together an organization including a roster. They were doomed from the start. For twenty years the Cleveland Browns accomplished only two winning seasons and one playoff appearance. Whether Browns fans knew it at the time or not, it was the death penalty like Southern Methodist University in 1987.

Today the Cleveland Browns have an opportunity to build and not necessarily rebuild their roster. A new indoor football facility will be built with private funding. We have an owner that will continue to invest and spend to win. Let’s be smart about what is in front of us. To work towards a future, we must understand the past. Otherwise, we are doomed to repeat it.