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Cleveland Browns: Art Modell is out, Mac Speedie is in

By Frank Teriaca

14 Jan 2001: Owner Art Modell of the Baltimore Ravens walks across the field after beating the Oakland Raiders 16-3 in the AFC Championship at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT
14 Jan 2001: Owner Art Modell of the Baltimore Ravens walks across the field after beating the Oakland Raiders 16-3 in the AFC Championship at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT /
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Cleveland Browns fans had a collective sigh of relief  as Art Modell was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this morning. This was Art’s last chance.

Art Modell will not be enshrined down the road in Canton, Ohio. And we as Cleveland Browns fans can now finally not worry about this anymore.

Modell’s last stand was an opportunity given to him by a special committee that enshrined 15 new members as ” Heroes of the game” to help celebrate the NFL 100th season. But common sense won out and Modell will not be a member.

All the good that Modell did for the game was wiped away in one stupid act of moving the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1995. Joining the Gateway project or simply selling the team would have ensured his place in Canton. But that wasn’t to be. Art eventually had to sell to Steve Bisciotti, failing at operating a NFL franchise twice.

Unfortunately for Art, that is not a Hall of Fame performance from an owner. And finally Cleveland, we can sigh in relief.

Some great news for the franchise did come from all this however. Wide receiver Mac Speedie was elected as one of the 15 new members.

Speedie spent four years in the military for World War II before joining the Browns in 1946. Speedie was one of the first great receivers in NFL history. In 1946 Speedie led the league in yards per catch, with 23.5, and scored seven touchdowns.

Mac Speedie was an integral part of coach Paul Brown’s offense that featured Otto Graham, Marion Motley, and Donte Lavelli.

Mac Speedie’s career highlights include:

  • Two time Pro Bowl selection (1950, 1952)
  • Six time first-Team All-Pro (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952)
  • Two time first-team All-WIFU (CFL) Western Conference (1953, 1954)
  • Four time league receptions leader (1947, 1948, 1949, 1952)
  • Two time league receiving yards leader (1947, 1949)
  • Named to the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team

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With Modell not getting the nod and Mac Speedie being selected, this has been a hard to come by great day for Browns fans everywhere.

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