Former Raven’s owner Art Modell died early Thursday from natural causes. Modell, who passed away at age 87, moved the Brown’s franchise to Baltimore when negotiations fell through on building a new stadium in Cleveland. Modell is best known for changing the way football was watching in the early 70’s, working out a deal with ABC to start Monday Night Football and helping start revenue sharing amongst other NFL clubs. While he was loved in Baltimore, the move to take the team away from Cleveland hurt his reputation among Browns fans.
“It’s a shame that one decision hurt how some people think of him, because he did so much good,” said Doug Dieken, an offensive lineman who’s 14-year run in Cleveland was the longest in Browns’ history. “I have a great legacy, tarnished somewhat by the move,” Modell said in 1999. “The politicians and the bureaucrats saw fit to cover their own rear ends by blaming it on me.” Modell eventually sold his ownership to current owner Steve Biscotti in 2004.
