Some of the Cleveland Browns’ fanbase will be irked by what a division rival will do on Sunday. Check out what the Baltimore Ravens planned. Division rivals, especially in the NFL, fans and media feel a different type of enmity.
There is a visceral dislike that permeates every word or action. Nothing ever seems harmless or accidental. Purposeful pettiness highlights the relationship. Whether it’s inappropriate nicknames or gestures, every team in the league has a team and fanbase that detests them.
Cleveland Browns Analyst Admonishes Baltimore Ravens for Upcoming Pregame Activity
This Sunday, the Ravens will celebrate their 30th anniversary in Baltimore at their home opener. While this looks like a momentous occasion that many will celebrate, there must be a little context. The Ravens were originally the Browns. This fact is not lost on analyst Andy Baskin, co-host of “Baskin and Phelps” on 92.3. The Fan (Cleveland).
“I think it’s kind of horseshit doing this against the Browns. I understand that they wanted to do this in their season opener. Did you really have to pick the Cleveland game to do this? Poking the bear,” Baskin said.
“I just think it’s kind of *********. What a bunch of clowns the Ravens are. That’s a giant middle finger to all of you. Just classless.”
🚨 @andy_baskin on @CLETalkingHeads on #Ravens 30th year celebration coming up on Sunday vs #Browns🔥🔥
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/OufxMl9Zqd pic.twitter.com/L8LGFhEXs3
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) September 9, 2025
He continued, “The problem I have with the whole thing is that I care, people my age care, and people who rooted for the Browns more than 30 years ago care. Tacky is the word I am trying to use. I can’t be alone in how I feel. What a bunch of clowns the Ravens are. That’s a giant middle finger to all of you, classless.”
For context, on November 6, 1995, late Browns owner Art Modell signed a deal to move the team to Baltimore. However, there were a few caveats. First, the name, colors, and team records would stay with Cleveland.
As a result, the NFL considers the Ravens an expansion team, a wholly different franchise. Next, by 1999, the league would bring the Browns back, either as an expansion team maintaining the old records or by moving an existing team.
The team was founded in Cleveland by legendary owner Paul Brown and is one of the NFL’s longest-tenured franchises. Ironically, moving a team to Baltimore came 13 years after the Irsay family moved the Colts out of Baltimore to Indianapolis.
While the Browns, for better or worse, still reside in Cleveland, Baskin speaks to the feelings of many of his generation who watched the events in real time.
Since the move, the Ravens boast two Super Bowl wins, while the Browns claim three playoff appearances. The Browns will line up against the Ravens this Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Each team is looking for its first win of the season. Baltimore squandered a 15-point second-half lead and lost to the Buffalo Bills, 41-40. Cleveland lost to the Cincinnati Bengals by 17-16. Which of these teams will emerge victorious?
