The name of the team was at first left up to Brown, who rejected calls for it to be christened the Browns. McBride then held a contest to name the team in May 1945; "Cleveland Panthers" was the most popular choice, but Brown rejected it because it was the name of an earlier failed football team.

In late 1995, Modell announced the move of the franchise to Baltimore. Browns owner Art Modell claimed financial hardships, but announced the move before Cleveland was able to propose an offer to keep the Browns. In fact, voters approved a renovation of Cleveland Municipal Stadium that November.

The Browns finished the 2017 season with combined 1–31 record over the previous two seasons, an NFL record for worst winning percentage over a two-season span. After starting the 2014 season with a 6–3 record heading into Week 11, the Browns lost 50 of 55 games between that point and the end of this season.

DEBUT OF BROWNIE THE ELF The character made its debut in the team's first season in the old All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946. Owner Arthur McBride named the team after its coach, Paul Brown, but needed a mascot to market it. The name Brownie comes from Scottish folklore.