If you read this headline and asked yourself "Who is Art Modell?", well, then you are entirely too young and know nothing about the history of the NFL.Modell passed away early Thursday morning at the age of 87 and will be remembered as one of the most influential owners in NFL history.
He owned the Cleveland Browns for years before deciding to move the franchise to Baltimore in 1996. And while that was probably his most remembered moment, it certainly wasn't his only one.
Modell part of the team to current Baltimore owner Steve Biscotti in 1999 and the whole team to him just 5-years later. He had bought the team for just under $4 million, the sale to Biscotti, was for $600 million.
He was the chairman of the leagues TV committee for a long, long time and was a big influence on growing TV's involvement with what is now the largest professional sport in the world.
Most in the NFL will spend time remembering Modell and we are quite sure there will be a ceremony of some sort in Baltimore. The NFL undoubtedly will do something too. He's earned at least that.
Here's coverage from ABC2 in Baltimore...
And a 2005 interview from NewsNet5 in Cleveland where he admits he felt betrayed by some inside the city which necessitated, in his point-of-view, the move of the Browns to Baltimore to become the Ravens...
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