R.I.P. Art Modell

Former Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell passed away this morning. He was 87 years old. The world lost an NFL legend who was both reviled and a pioneer at the same time.

BROWNS

Modell bought the Browns in 1961. The beloved franchise won an NFL Championship in 1964, but never advanced to the Super Bowl since its inception in following the 1966 season. The Browns would come close to the mountain top several more times under Modell in Cleveland. They would play in the NFL Championship Game in 1965, 1968, and 1969, being one win away from the Super Bowl in the latter two contests.

The Browns would also play for the AFC Championship, losing to the Denver Broncos in the 1986, 1987, and 1989 seasons. The 1986 and 1987 losses were particularly heartbreaking, punctuated by “The Drive” led by Denver Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway to send the 1986 AFC Championship Game into overtime and “The Fumble” by Browns running back Earnest Byner, which likely prevented the Browns from tying the score in the final two minutes of the 1987 AFC Championship Game.


RAVENS

Modell became Public Enemy #1 in Cleveland when he moved the team to Baltimore following the 1995 season. Modell claimed financial distress necessitated the move. The NFL mandated that the team name, colors, and records would remain in Cleveland and that Modell’s team be treated as a new franchise. The Baltimore Ravens played their first game in 1996. They would win Super Bowl XXXV, 34-7 over the New York Giants, in the 2000 NFL Season.

Modell sold majority ownership of the Ravens to minority owner Steve Bisciotti in 2004. He retained a 1% ownership interest in the team, an office at team headquarters, and a consulting role until his death. Modell died of natural causes.

1925-2012

Image from www.baltimoresportsreport.com