Ravens: 6 legends who made forgotten stops in Baltimore

4. Earnest Byner, RB, Ravens (1996-97)

Here’s a flashback to the “Memorial Stadium” era of Ravens football — back when it felt great just having NFL football back in Baltimore. Sure, it was usually losing football, but it was certainly better than nothing.

Earnest Byner was one of the very original Ravens class of 1996 who came on the moving van from Cleveland.

Or, as the NFL would have you believe, when the original Cleveland Browns magically ceased to exist and the majority of their players and staff materialized in Baltimore to form the basis of the Ravens “expansion team” (yeah, that’s the ticket).

Indeed, Byner’s most famous pro highlights came while he wore a Browns uniform, mainly in the late 1980s. This, unfortunately, includes his most famous moment — his playoff fumble in the 1988 AFC Championship Game against Denver which cost Cleveland their last shot at victory.

Byner returned to the Browns for their last two seasons of existence and moved with the team to Baltimore. Between those two stints, he redeemed himself by winning a Super Bowl with Washington in 1991.

As for his time in Baltimore? Over his two seasons with the Ravens, he totaled 947 rushing yards and four touchdowns.