Art Modell Has Died
Thursday, September 6th, 2012 -- 11:05 AM
The innovative Art Modell, whose reputation was forever tainted when he moved his franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore, died early Thursday. He was 87.The Baltimore Ravens said Modell died of natural causes at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he had been admitted Wednesday.
Modell's Browns were among the best teams of the 1960s, led during his first few years as owner by legendary running back Jim Brown. Cleveland won the NFL championship in 1964 - Modell's only title with the Browns - and played in the title game in 1965, 1968 and 1969.
Modell said he lost millions of dollars operating the Browns in Cleveland and cited the state of Maryland's financial package, including construction of a $200 million stadium, as his reasons for going to Baltimore.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.