The Baltimore Ravens are a Baltimore-based professional American football team. The Ravens are a member of the American Football Conference North division in the National Football League. The squad is based in Owings Mills, Maryland, and plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium.

Founder of Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens was founded by owner Art Modell. The Ravens were founded in 1996 after Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell chose to relocate his historic franchise and negotiated an agreement with the city of Baltimore.

The Browns’ name, history, and colors were maintained for a future replacement team as part of the agreement, therefore the newly renamed Ravens the namesake comes from the classic poem by Baltimorean Edgar Allan Poe were technically a resident expansion franchise.

Linebacker Ray Lewis was the Ravens’ first draft pick, and he rapidly established himself as one of the league’s most dominant players, helping to establish the team’s reputation as a fearsome defense.

Arthur Bertram Modell was an American businessman, entrepreneur, and NFL club owner who lived from June 23, 1925 to September 6, 2012. For 35 years, he was the owner of the Cleveland Browns, and for nine years, he was the owner of the Baltimore Ravens.

Modell was a crucial force in helping promote the NFL after assuming control of the Browns franchise in 1961. He was initially popular in Cleveland for his active engagement in the community and his efforts to develop the team.