Art Modell

Ever since Uncle Artie allowed Head Coach Bill Belichick to replace Bernie Kosar, you couldn't tune in a sports talk show without hearing him bashed.  And I'm talking about deep, profound hatred.  It was like he'd sold out to the KGB.  Like he was a child molester.

It was disgusting, especially since Bernie Kosar DID have diminished skills, and had ever since having his right elbow injured in Kansas City.  Moreover, Kosar's offensive line was being bashed relentlessly...nevermind that most of the sacks Kosar took were over five seconds after he'd taken the snap.

It was emotional; irrational-insane.  They hoped Modell would die soon.  Modell was incompetant.  The worst owner in history.  A traitor.  And idiot.

Meanwhile, the Indians and Cavaliers got new facilities.  Municipal stadium was built on a landfill.  Methane percolated up through the soil when in rained.  The plumbing leaked.  Grass couldn't be kept alive, so they used green paint.

The Democratic city fathers refused to help Modell as they had the Cavs and Indians.  For years.

Art Modell was colorblind, and pioneered integration.  Before Jim Brown, there was Marion Motley.  Most of the other owners were shocked.

Art Modell bailed out the Cleveland Clinic.  Without him, it would have been gone before most of you ever heard of it.  He was generous to a fault, giving away way too much of his money to various charities.

By the time he finally threw up his hands and took the Baltimore deal, he was in real trouble.

It's true: He HAD NO CHOICE.

If you want to burn somebody in effigy, why not the sports media and city government who FORCED him to move the team?

You're a lynch mob.  You need an easy, simple target.  Your mind is made up and that's that.  I'm from Cleveland, and you embarrass me.

Art Modell was a good person, who always tried to do the right thing.  And he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.