By shelz.
As a born and bred Baltimorean, I always understood Cleveland’s position on the Browns redux also known as the Baltimore Ravens. Our place in that situation back in 1996 came with both exuberance and empathy. Art Modell was Cleveland’s Bob Irsay and we knew exactly what the citizens of Cleveland were going through.
Modell was brazen and determined. No stadium, no team. Even after finding out the good folks of Cleveland voted to grant his wishes, he didn’t stop the wheels from turning. The Browns may not have left in Mayflower trucks, but it was de ja vu all over again anyway.
The team came completely naked. Cleveland maintained its legacy, its name, its colors; and 3 years later rose from the ashes of all the Modell paraphernalia they burned in the streets. The Ravens were born. Baltimore smacked some purple on them and the rest is history, but not for Cleveland and not for Modell.
Football for the fan is all about sportsmanship and heart, but for the owner it’s a business. It’s a hard pill to swallow for the faithful of any squad when the money comes before the honey, but sometimes relationships just don’t work out.
Art Modell is one of the business architects of the NFL. His imprint is all over the original CBA and he was the first chairman of NFL films. There would be no revenue sharing or Monday Night Football if it wasn’t for the native New Yorker. The city of Cleveland may still be licking wounds, but they as well as the rest of the NFL and its fans have benefited greatly from Modell’s vision and commitment to the league as a whole and Cleveland still sports their lone Lombardi trophy won under the careful watch of the man they came to hate. He deserved respect in life for so much, hopefully he will receive it in death.
Baltimore will miss Mr. Modell. We weep for his family and will fly all Ravens flags at half mast. The high school drop out who bought the Browns for a mere 4 million dollars back in the early 60’s just to turn it into a billion dollar franchise has our respect and our admiration. Hopefully at some point, not just the Hall of Fame voters but the state of Ohio can follow suit.
Rest in peace Mr. Modell,
shelz.
Follow shelz. on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/shelzp
Follow Us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/planetill
Join Us on the Planet Ill Facebook Group for more discussion
Follow us on Networked Blogs
