History of Baltimore Ravens in Timeline
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team located in Baltimore, Maryland. They compete in the NFL as part of the AFC North division. Their home games are held at M&T Bank Stadium, and their headquarters are in Owings Mills, Maryland.
September 7, 1947: Baltimore's Marching Ravens formed
On September 7, 1947, Baltimore's Marching Ravens, originally the Colts' marching band, were formed. They have operated continuously to the present day.
1972: Founding of the Baltimore Ravens Wheelchair Basketball Team
The Baltimore Ravens wheelchair basketball team, the original Baltimore Ravens, was founded in 1972 by Ralph Smith.
1974: Steelers Set Rushing Record
From 1974 to 1977, the Pittsburg Steelers set an NFL record by rushing for over 100 yards in 43 straight games.
1984: Colts Relocate to Indianapolis
The Colts relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984.
1984: Colts' Relocation from Baltimore Remains a Sensitive Topic
The relocation of the Baltimore Colts in 1984 under controversial circumstances remained a sensitive subject for fans, adding another layer of significance to the Ravens' matchup against the Colts years later.
1984: Colts Relocate to Indianapolis
The Colts NFL franchise relocated to Indianapolis from Baltimore in 1984.
1993: Baltimore Emerges as a Frontrunner for NFL Expansion Team
Baltimore emerged as a strong contender for an NFL expansion team in 1993, considered a favorite behind St. Louis.
May 1994: Peter Angelos Explores Bringing NFL Teams to Baltimore
By May 1994, Peter Angelos, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles, began actively pursuing opportunities to bring NFL teams to Baltimore, assembling a new group of investors and engaging in discussions with team owners open to relocation.
November 6, 1995: Art Modell Announces Intention to Relocate Browns to Baltimore
On November 6, 1995, Art Modell formally declared his intention to relocate the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore.
1995: Baltimore's Bid for an NFL Expansion Team is Passed Over
Despite being considered a frontrunner, Baltimore's bid for an NFL expansion team, dubbed the "Baltimore Bombers," was unexpectedly passed over in 1995.
1995: Art Modell Announces Relocation of the Cleveland Browns
In 1995, Art Modell, the then-owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his intention to relocate the franchise to Baltimore.
1995: Ravens' Colors Inspired by Northwestern Wildcats
The Baltimore Ravens' colors, introduced in 1996, were inspired by the Northwestern Wildcats' successful 1995 season.
February 8, 1996: Settlement Reached for Browns' Relocation
A settlement regarding the relocation of the Cleveland Browns was reached on February 8, 1996, involving representatives from Cleveland, the NFL, and Art Modell.
1996: Establishment of the Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens were established in 1996 following the relocation of the Cleveland Browns franchise to Baltimore.
1996: Ravens' Inaugural Season
The Ravens made their debut in the 1996 NFL season, marking the beginning of the franchise's journey in Baltimore.
1996: Browns Franchise Relocates to Baltimore
The Cleveland Browns football franchise relocated to Baltimore in 1996 to become the Ravens.
1996: Ravens' First Draft
The Ravens had their first draft in 1996, selecting Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis, both future Hall of Famers.
1996: Ravens Debut Inaugural Uniform
The Baltimore Ravens debuted their inaugural uniform in 1996, featuring black helmets, purple jerseys, and black pants with a single white stripe.
1996: Ravens Draft Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis
In the 1996 NFL draft, the Ravens used their two first-round picks to select offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and linebacker Ray Lewis, both of whom became key players for the franchise.
1996: First Meeting Between Ravens and Patriots
The Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots first played each other in 1996.
1996: Ozzie Newsome Becomes General Manager
Ozzie Newsome assumed the role of general manager for the Baltimore Ravens in 1996.
1996: Ravens Debut First Helmet Logo
The Baltimore Ravens debuted their first helmet logo in 1996, featuring raven wings outspread from a shield.
December 14, 1997: Ravens Bid Farewell to Memorial Stadium
On December 14, 1997, the Baltimore Ravens played their last game at Memorial Stadium, concluding an era for the historic venue.
1997: Ravens Update Uniform with Classic Look
In 1997, the Baltimore Ravens updated their uniform with white pants and a new font for jersey numbers, moving towards a more traditional NFL aesthetic.
1998: Ravens Move to New Stadium
The Baltimore Ravens relocated to their new stadium, now known as M&T Bank Stadium, situated next to Camden Yards, in 1998.
1998: Ravens Open New Stadium, Finish with Losing Record
The Ravens opened their new stadium, originally called "PSINet Stadium", in 1998. They replaced quarterback Vinny Testaverde with Jim Harbaugh and later Eric Zeier. Despite cornerback Rod Woodson joining the team and Priest Holmes' promising debut, the Ravens finished 6-10. In a highly anticipated matchup, they defeated the Colts 38-31 in their first Baltimore meeting since the Colts' relocation.
1999: Ravens Introduce New Helmet Logo
In 1999, the Baltimore Ravens introduced a new helmet logo featuring a raven's head in profile with the letter "B" superimposed, following a fan poll.
1999: Browns Franchise Returns
The Cleveland Browns football franchise resumed operations in 1999 after three seasons of being inactive following the franchise's relocation to Baltimore.
1999: Ravens' First Helmet Logo Infringes Copyright
The Baltimore Ravens' first helmet logo, used until 1999, was found to infringe on a copyright held by Maryland artist Frederick E. Bouchat.
1999: Cleveland Receives a Replacement Team
As part of the settlement agreement between the NFL and the city of Cleveland, a replacement team was established in Cleveland in 1999.
1999: Scott Mitchell wears #19
In 1999, Scott Mitchell became the only player to wear the number 19 for the Ravens since Johnny Unitas.
1999: Billick Becomes Head Coach, Ravens Show Improvement
Brian Billick was appointed head coach of the Ravens in 1999. Quarterback Tony Banks had his most successful season, supported by receiver Qadry Ismail's 1,000-yard performance. The Ravens improved their record to 8-8 after a challenging start.
1999: Cleveland Guaranteed an NFL Team by 1999
As part of the settlement agreement, the NFL guaranteed that Cleveland would have an NFL team by no later than 1999, ensuring the city's continued participation in the league.
March 27, 2000: NFL Approves Partial Sale of Ravens to Steve Bisciotti
On March 27, 2000, the NFL owners gave the green light to the sale of 49% of the Ravens to Steve Bisciotti.
2000: Ravens' Defensive Dominance Begins
The Baltimore Ravens' reputation for strong defensive play began to solidify during the 2000 season, marked by a record-breaking defensive performance.
2000: Ravens Secure First Playoff Berth with Dominant Defense
The Ravens made their first playoff appearance in 2000, boasting a strong defense led by Defensive Player of the Year Ray Lewis. Despite offensive struggles mid-season, they finished 12-4, winning their last seven games.
2000: Ravens' Defense Sets NFL Record for Fewest Points Allowed
In 2000, the Ravens' defense set a new NFL record by limiting opponents to a mere 165 points, surpassing the previous record of 187 points set by the 1986 Chicago Bears in a 16-game season.
2000: Ravens Wear All-White in Super Bowl XXXV
The Baltimore Ravens wore their all-white uniform combination in Super Bowl XXXV in 2000.
2000: Ravens Defeat Titans in First Game in New Stadium
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Tennessee Titans in 2000, giving the Titans their first loss in their new stadium.
2000: Ravens Have Two First-Round Picks
In 2000, the Ravens had two first-round draft picks.
2001: Ravens' Title Defense Cut Short in Divisional Round
The Ravens' attempt to defend their title in 2001 was hampered by injuries and inconsistent offense. Despite clinching a wild card spot and a first-round win against the Dolphins, they fell to the Steelers in the divisional round.
2002: Ravens Begin Wearing White Jerseys for Home Opener
In 2002, the Baltimore Ravens established a tradition of wearing their white jerseys for home openers with a 1:00 PM kickoff.
2002: Ravens Draft Ed Reed, Experience Challenges Amidst Salary Cap Issues
The Ravens faced salary cap constraints in 2002, leading to the departure of key players. They drafted safety Ed Reed, who went on to have a stellar career with the team. Despite a promising start, a late-season slump resulted in a 7-9 finish.
April 2003: Art Modell Sells Minority Stake in Ravens to Steve Bisciotti
In April 2003, Art Modell sold a 49% stake in the Ravens to Steve Bisciotti, marking the beginning of Bisciotti's ownership tenure.
2003: Ravens Win First AFC North Division Title
The Baltimore Ravens clinched their first AFC North division title in 2003.
2003: Ravens Win First AFC North Title, Fall Short in Playoffs
The Ravens clinched their first AFC North title in 2003, led by Jamal Lewis' impressive rushing performance, including a then-NFL record 295 yards in a game. Despite a 10-6 record, their season ended with a close loss to the Titans in the wild card round.
2003: Ravens Have Two First-Round Picks
The Ravens had two first-round draft picks in 2003.
April 9, 2004: Bisciotti Becomes Majority Owner of the Ravens
On April 9, 2004, the NFL approved Steve Bisciotti's acquisition of the majority stake in the Ravens, marking a significant shift in the team's ownership.
November 2004: Ravens Introduce All-Black Alternate Uniform
In November 2004, the Baltimore Ravens introduced an alternate all-black uniform for a home game against the Cleveland Browns, dubbed "Pitch Black" night.
2004: Ed Reed Named Defensive Player of the Year, Ravens Miss Playoffs
Despite Ed Reed's Defensive Player of the Year performance and being the sole team to defeat the 15-1 Steelers, the Ravens finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs in 2004.
2004: Ravens Without a First-Round Pick
The Ravens did not have a first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
2005: Ravens End Season with 6-10 Record
The Ravens ended the 2005 season with a 6-10 record, prompting a need for improvement.
2005: Ravens Attempt to Improve Receiving Corps, End with Losing Record
The Ravens, with the aim of strengthening their receiving game, signed Derrick Mason and drafted Mark Clayton in 2005. However, their efforts fell short, resulting in a 6-10 season.
2006: Ravens Start Season 4-0, Aim for Improved Record
In 2006, with Steve McNair as quarterback, the Ravens achieved their first-ever 4-0 start, signaling a promising beginning to the season.
2006: Ravens Secure Second AFC North Division Title
The Baltimore Ravens earned their second AFC North division title in 2006.
2006: Ravens Wear White Cleats Until 2006
The Baltimore Ravens wore white cleats with their uniforms from their inaugural season until 2006.
2006: Ravens Clinch AFC North Title After Mid-Season Coordinator Change
Despite offensive struggles leading to a coordinator change, the Ravens went on a five-game win streak in 2006. They defeated the Steelers and clinched the AFC North title, demonstrating resilience.
2007: Patriots Defeat Ravens En Route to Undefeated Regular Season
During the 2007 NFL Season, the New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27-24 as part of their perfect 16-0 regular season.
2007: Ravens finish 2007 season with 5–11 record
In 2007, the Baltimore Ravens struggled with injuries and poor performances, culminating in a 5–11 record, placing them last in the AFC North. This led to the dismissal of their head coach, Brian Billick, after a particularly humiliating loss to the Miami Dolphins on December 16, 2007.
2007: Ravens miss playoffs for the first time since 2007
In the 2013 season, the Baltimore Ravens finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007, after losing their final two games.
2007: Ravens Switch to Black Cleats
The Baltimore Ravens switched to wearing black cleats with their uniforms in 2007.
December 7, 2008: Ravens Debut Black Jerseys with White Pants
On December 7, 2008, the Baltimore Ravens introduced a new combination of black jerseys with white pants during a Sunday Night Football game against the Washington Redskins.
2008: John Harbaugh Becomes Head Coach
John Harbaugh took the helm as head coach of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008.
2008: Ravens Wear White Jerseys for Preseason Games Under Harbaugh
Since John Harbaugh became head coach in 2008, the Baltimore Ravens have worn their white jerseys at home for preseason games.
January 4, 2009: Ravens win wild-card game against Dolphins
On January 4, 2009, the Baltimore Ravens started their postseason by defeating the Miami Dolphins 27–9 in a wild-card game, thanks to a strong defensive performance that included four interceptions and an Ed Reed touchdown.
January 18, 2009: Ravens lose AFC Championship to Steelers
On January 18, 2009, the Baltimore Ravens fell short of reaching Super Bowl XLIII, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 23–14 in the AFC Championship Game.
2009: Ravens Defeat Patriots in Wild Card Round
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots 33-14 in the 2009 AFC Wild Card playoff round.
2009: Ravens and Patriots Engage in Heated Matchup
The rivalry between the Ravens and Patriots intensified in 2009 when the two teams had a heated game that involved a confrontation between Tom Brady and Terrell Suggs.
2009: Ravens have uneven 2009 season
In 2009, the Baltimore Ravens had an inconsistent season, finishing with a 9–7 record and earning a wild card spot. They won their playoff game against the New England Patriots 33–14 but were defeated by the Indianapolis Colts 20–3 in the Divisional Round.
December 5, 2010: Ravens Reintroduce Black Pants with Purple Jerseys
On December 5, 2010, the Baltimore Ravens reintroduced the combination of black pants with their purple jerseys in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
December 19, 2010: Ravens Wear All-Black in Win Over Saints
On December 19, 2010, the Baltimore Ravens wore their all-black uniforms in a victory against the New Orleans Saints, despite earlier indications that coach John Harbaugh preferred not to use the "blackout" look.
2010: Ravens' 2010 season performance
In 2010, the Baltimore Ravens ended the season with a 12–4 record, securing a wild card spot. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 30–7 in the playoffs but were eliminated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a close 31–24 game.
2010: Ravens Without a First-Round Pick
In 2010, the Ravens did not have a first-round draft pick.
2010: Ravens Increase Black Jersey Usage
Since 2010, the Baltimore Ravens have increased their use of black jerseys to at least twice per season.
2010: Tom Brady's Unanimous MVP Award
Tom Brady was the last NFL player to be unanimously voted as the AP NFL MVP before Lamar Jackson in 2010.
December 24, 2011: Ravens Wear Purple Jerseys and Black Pants Again
On December 24, 2011, the Baltimore Ravens again wore their purple jerseys with black pants for a game against the Cleveland Browns.
2011: Ravens Experiment with Alternate Uniform Combinations
From 2011 to 2013 and again in 2015, the Baltimore Ravens wore their all-black uniforms once and the black jerseys with white pants once.
2011: Ravens defeat Steelers in 2011 season opener
In the opening game of the 2011 season, the Baltimore Ravens dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 35–7 victory, marking their first win against the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger playing.
2011: Ravens Clinch AFC North Division Title
The Baltimore Ravens secured the AFC North division title in 2011.
2011: Patriots Defeat Ravens in AFC Championship
The New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in the 2011 AFC Championship game.
January 15, 2012: Ravens Don Purple and Black in AFC Divisional Playoff
The Baltimore Ravens wore their purple jerseys and black pants in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans on January 15, 2012.
2012: Ravens Without a First-Round Pick
The Ravens did not have a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
2012: Ravens' 2012 season start
The Baltimore Ravens began their 2012 season with a decisive 44–13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on September 10, 2012, despite dealing with key injuries, including Terrell Suggs' tendon injury.
2012: Ravens Defeat Patriots in AFC Championship
The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots 28-13 in the 2012 AFC Championship game.
2012: Ravens Secure Second AFC Championship Title
The Baltimore Ravens achieved their second AFC Championship title in 2012.
2012: Ravens' Last Division Title
Before winning the AFC North in 2018, the Baltimore Ravens had not won a division title since 2012.
January 6, 2013: Ray Lewis' Final Home Game Features Purple and Black Uniforms
The Baltimore Ravens wore their purple jerseys and black pants for Ray Lewis' final home game, an AFC Wild Card playoff victory against the Indianapolis Colts on January 6, 2013.
2013: Ravens Experiment with Alternate Uniform Combinations
From 2011 to 2013 and again in 2015, the Baltimore Ravens wore their all-black uniforms once and the black jerseys with white pants once.
2013: Ed Reed Departs Ravens for Houston Texans
In 2013, Ed Reed, a cornerstone of the Ravens' defense, left the team to join the Houston Texans, marking the end of an era for the Ravens.
January 27, 2014: Gary Kubiak hired as Ravens' offensive coordinator
On January 27, 2014, the Baltimore Ravens hired former Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak to be the new offensive coordinator.
February 15, 2014: Ray Rice arrested for assault
On February 15, 2014, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his fiancée were arrested for assault after an altercation in Atlantic City, leading to public controversy.
July 25, 2014: Ray Rice suspended for two games
On July 25, 2014, Ray Rice was initially suspended for two games following an assault incident, which drew significant criticism of the NFL's disciplinary actions.
September 8, 2014: Ray Rice's contract terminated after video release
On September 8, 2014, the Baltimore Ravens terminated Ray Rice's contract after TMZ released video footage of him assaulting his fiancée. The NFL later suspended him indefinitely, although this was eventually vacated by a judge.
2014: Ravens Favor All-Black in Alternate Games
In 2014 and 2016, the Baltimore Ravens opted for their all-black uniforms for both of their allotted alternate uniform games.
2014: Ravens' Playoff Drought
Prior to 2018, the Baltimore Ravens had not made a playoff appearance since 2014.
2014: Patriots Defeat Ravens in Divisional Round
The New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35-31 in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff round.
December 20, 2015: Ravens Debut Gold Pants to Negative Reactions
On December 20, 2015, the Baltimore Ravens debuted gold pants with their purple jerseys, a decision that was met with overwhelmingly negative reactions from fans and commentators.
2015: NFL Introduces "Color Rush" Promotion
The NFL introduced the "Color Rush" jersey promotion in 2015, featuring teams wearing single-color uniforms for select prime-time games.
2015: Ravens suffer losing season in 2015
The 2015 season marked the Baltimore Ravens' 20th anniversary. Despite the milestone, they faced a losing season with a 5–11 record due to numerous key player injuries.
2015: Ravens Experiment with Alternate Uniform Combinations
From 2011 to 2013 and again in 2015, the Baltimore Ravens wore their all-black uniforms once and the black jerseys with white pants once.
2016: Ravens Favor All-Black in Alternate Games
In 2014 and 2016, the Baltimore Ravens opted for their all-black uniforms for both of their allotted alternate uniform games.
2016: Ravens miss playoffs for second consecutive year
In 2016, the Baltimore Ravens finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row, marking the first back-to-back playoff miss in the Harbaugh-Flacco era.
2016: Ravens Wear All-Purple for "Color Rush" Games
The Baltimore Ravens wore their all-purple "Color Rush" uniforms for Thursday Night games in 2016 and 2017, as well as their Christmas 2016 game.
2017: Ravens Exceed Alternate Uniform Limit
In 2017, the Baltimore Ravens wore their all-black uniforms twice and the black-on-white combination once, exceeding the league's limit of two alternate uniform appearances per season.
2017: Ravens miss playoffs for third consecutive year
The 2017 season saw the Baltimore Ravens finish with a 9–7 record, missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year, which hadn't happened since the team's inception years from 1996 to 1998.
September 13, 2018: Ravens Debut White Jerseys with Purple Pants
The Baltimore Ravens debuted a new combination of white jerseys and purple pants in a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13, 2018.
2018: Lamar Jackson Drafted, Ravens End Season with Playoff Berth
In 2018, the Baltimore Ravens drafted quarterback Lamar Jackson. After starting 4-5, Jackson became starting quarterback when Joe Flacco was injured. The Ravens went on to finish the season 10-6, winning the AFC North and making the playoffs.
2018: Ravens Win Fifth AFC North Division Title
The Baltimore Ravens secured their fifth AFC North division title in 2018.
2018: Ravens Have Two First-Round Picks
In 2018, the Ravens had two first-round draft picks.
March 13, 2019: Ravens Trade Joe Flacco to Broncos
On March 13, 2019, the Baltimore Ravens traded quarterback Joe Flacco to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
December 18, 2019: Records updated
The Baltimore Ravens' records were updated as of December 18, 2019.
2019: Ravens Clinch Sixth AFC North Division Title
The Baltimore Ravens won their sixth AFC North division title in 2019.
2020: Ravens Finish Season Second in AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens went 11-5 in the 2020 NFL season, finishing second in the AFC North. They would go on to win a wild card game against the Titans before losing to the Bills in the divisional round.
October 11, 2021: Ravens Wear Black Uniforms with Purple Pants
The Baltimore Ravens wore their black uniforms with purple pants on October 11, 2021, against the Indianapolis Colts.
2021: Ravens vs. Colts
The Ravens played against the Colts in 2021.
2021: Ravens Break Preseason Win Record, Tucker Breaks Field Goal Record
The Baltimore Ravens set the record for consecutive preseason wins with 20 in 2021. That same season, Justin Tucker kicked a 66-yard field goal, setting the NFL record.
2021: Ravens Have Two First-Round Picks
The Ravens had two first-round draft picks in 2021.
2021: Ravens Switch to White Socks with All-White Uniform
Starting in 2021, the Baltimore Ravens began wearing white hosiery with their all-white uniform, a change from their previous black socks.
January 2, 2022: Ravens Wear Near-Replica of Color Rush Uniforms
On January 2, 2022, the Baltimore Ravens wore a combination very similar to their Color Rush uniforms, pairing their regular all-purple look with purple socks.
2022: Ravens Lose in Wild Card Round to Bengals
The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2022 NFL season 10-7, second in the AFC North. They lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card playoff round.
2022: Bengals Defeat Ravens in Playoff Matchup
The only playoff meeting between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens came during the 2022 AFC Wild Card round, with the Bengals winning the game.
January 20, 2023: Date of Head-to-Head Records
The Baltimore Ravens' head-to-head records are valid as of January 20, 2023.
2023: Ravens Lead Bengals in All-Time Series
As of the end of the 2023 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens lead the all-time series with the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27.
2023: Ravens Lead Titans in All-Time Series
As of the end of the 2023 NFL season, the Baltimore Ravens lead the all-time series with the Tennessee Titans 14-13.
2023: Ravens Make Fifth Appearance in AFC Championship Game
In 2023, the Baltimore Ravens made their fifth appearance in the AFC Championship game.
2023: Ravens Win AFC North, Lose in AFC Championship
The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2023 NFL season 13-4, winning the AFC North and earning the number one seed in the AFC Playoffs. They would defeat the Texans in the divisional round before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.
2023: Ravens Lead All-Time Series Against Browns
The Baltimore Ravens lead the all-time series against the Cleveland Browns 36-14, as of the end of the 2023 NFL season.
2023: Ravens Ranked Among Most Valuable Sports Franchises
The Baltimore Ravens were valued at $4.63 billion in 2023, securing their spot as the 28th most valuable sports franchise globally.
October 3, 2024: Roster Updated
The Ravens updated their roster on October 3, 2024.
2024: Ravens to Debut Alternate Helmets with "Purple Rising" Uniforms
Starting in 2024, the Baltimore Ravens will wear alternate purple helmets featuring a new front-facing Ravens logo with their "Color Rush" uniforms, rebranded as the "Purple Rising" uniforms.