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Art Modell Again Denied Entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Steve DiMatteo — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 01:36:00 +0000

It’s the news all of Cleveland was waiting for. Art Modell, a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second time, was again denied entrance after his polarizing credentials generated a long debate among the voters.

Here are the seven people who did get in: Bill Parcells, Warren Sapp, Cris Carter, Larry Allen, Jonathan Ogden, Curley Culp and Dave Robinson.

Modell passed away last September, which likely made this his best possible case for getting in. Not to mention the fact that the Baltimore Ravens are playing in the Super Bowl and have been making Modell’s case all week.

It wasn’t meant to be, though. And it’s becoming evident that it might never be.

Will – Should – Art Modell Be Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Steve DiMatteo — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:56:18 +0000

With former Browns owner Art Modell’s passing last year, the movement for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame has never been met with such enthusiastic backing or vitriol. The call for him to remain out of the Hall of Fame has been supported by a strong social media campaign known as #ArtOut, started by ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi and campaigned for quite admirably by Cleveland Frowns.

Modell’s case is truly one of perception. Anyone in Cleveland can – and very much will – tell you that Modell has no business being elected. But ask plenty of people around the league and they’ll instantly point to his “contributions” (again, perception) towards making football the TV powerhouse that it is today.

There are very real, legitimate reasons as to why Modell hasn’t been elected yet. For one thing, if he was truly the pioneer that everyone says he is (and there is credit to be given to him; this isn’t a completely one-sided argument), he’d likely already be in. But, more than anything, the Browns’ move to Baltimore continues to haunt him even in death, which should really tell you everything you need to know, shouldn’t it?

Modell’s candidacy is a very complicated matter, one based entirely on a person’s own point of view. Whether it’s his hand in the brokering of huge TV deals or legitimizing the pattern of owners holding cities hostage for a new stadium with the threat of relocation, Modell’s chances for the Hall of Fame rest solely on perception.

What will his perception be on Saturday?

Around the Dawg Pound: Art Modell Edition

Steve DiMatteo — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 04:09:48 +0000

No matter how you felt about the man, you can’t deny the impact former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell had on the NFL. With his passing, Browns fans are given an opportunity to reflect on the past, but one hopes it is also an opportunity for the city to move on from its painful past.

The Modell family knows the city isn’t necessarily ready to forget just yet, though. His son David has asked the Browns to not honor Modell before Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, even though something was originally planned.

It was probably the right move to make. The Browns were in an awkward position and had to make the gesture of honoring Modell. In the end, a member of the Modell family did the city of Cleveland a tremendous favor.

Art Modell’s time in Cleveland didn’t turn out the way he imagined it would: Bill Livingston (Cleveland.com)
Art Modell, 1925-2012: He was a sportsman, a showman and a survivor (ESPN Cleveland)
Art Modell, Influential N.F.L. Owner but Not Always Beloved One, Dies at 87 (The New York Times)
Art Modell’s decision to move Cleveland Browns haunted him for rest of life (Cleveland.com)
Modell’s passing a chance for Browns fans to move on (Pro Football Weekly)

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