Art Modell—Public Enemy No. 1

He was one of the most reviled figures in Cleveland sports history. Even for those who felt LeBron James was the consummate traitor, Art Modell remains the true villain. While LeBron left Cleveland for the sunny shores of South Beach and decimated the Cleveland Cavaliers, the franchise remained. And it was, after all, the Cavaliers not the legendary Cleveland Browns.

The brash, young owner of the Browns as we remem-
bered him when he first bought the team in 1961.

Browns fans had good reason for their tremendous sense of loss. The original Browns were one of the greatest teams in NFL history. In fact their list of championships even predated the NFL, when they dominated the old All-America Conference, winning the championship in all four years of the league’s existence from 1946 through 1949. When the Browns moved to the NFL they kept winning, taking titles in 1950, 1954 and 1955. They were in a championship game for 10 straight seasons and won seven.  Then and all through the early 1960s they were led by Hall of Fame coach and football innovator Paul Brown. In the early years they also had another never-to-be-forgotten Hall of Famer, quarterback Otto Graham and a supporting cast including ends Mac Speedie and Dante Lavelli and fullback Marion Motey.  Then came the Jim Brown era—1957-1965.  Widely acclaimed as the greatest running back ever, Brown dominated the league, amassing numerous rushing records and dismantling even the best defenses such as those of the Sam Huff-led Giants, Ray Nitschke and the Packers, and the Rams Fearsome Foursome. It was Brown, Bobby Mitchell, Frank Ryan, Gary Collins and others that brought Cleveland the NFL title in 1964, the last time a Cleveland sports team has won a world a world championship.
 

 A Hated Figure

While Modell was hated after moving the team—and hate is not too strong a word—his recent passing cast additional light on the decision to leave Cleveland and also caused many to remember his contributions to the NFL. Most fans in Cleveland believe Modell could have saved the franchise --that with a 70,000 plus capacity stadium and lucrative TV contracts, no one, not even Modell, could lose money. Modell said he had to have the support of the city to survive. He said the Browns were ignored when the city was building new facilities for the Indians and Cavs, a statement that no one in Cleveland would agree with until last week, when former City Council President George Forbes said Modell was offered a spot for a stadium as part of the Gateway complex, home to what is now Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. Even though the statement has been supported by others, Forbes shady past, including his conviction for ethics violations, puts what he says into question.

No one can doubt Modell had a big role in turning NFL football into a TV showcase. A slick Madison Avenue ad executive before he bought the Browns, Modell had the moxie to orchestrate television deals that have led to untold revenues for league even to this day.

Cleveland Municipal Stadium was the largest stadium in major league baseball and was second only to the L.A. Coliseum in seating capacity for NFL football. But as time went on the stadium became more and more outdated, not to mention the crumbling infrastructure—everything from splintered seats, to cracked walkways to frequently flooded rest rooms.

Deep in Debt

But with no financial help coming and the bills piling up, Modell said he had only one choice. When a sweet deal came along from Baltimore, he accepted. The rest you could say is history. Modell went on to win a Super Bowl in Baltimore. Cleveland was awarded a new team, with the Browns name, record and colors left intact. And the city finally came through with a new stadium.

Of course, that new team has never lived up to its name. Maybe if it did, Modell’s deed wouldn’t evoke the venom it still does some 17 years after he left the lake front. But until things improve--and perhaps long thereafter-- Art Modell, fairly or unfairly, will remain Cleveland’s Public Enemy No. 1.

Quick takes…speaking of Cleveland, last week was the anniversary of the Indians' Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller striking out 17 Philadelphia Athletics on September 13, 1936. He was just 17 years old…A couple of good trivia questions came up over lunch at the Commerce Club today. The first: three catchers on the 1961 Yankees hit 20 or more home runs. Who were they? Think about that while we pose the second question: who was the left fielder for that same team?...Answers below…Saw Vince Dooley today at the Atlanta Press Club meeting. He’s as fired up as ever, thinks South Carolina will be the big test for the Dogs…Will blog more on Dooley later…Trivia answers: Yogi, Elston Howard and Johnny Blanchard for the first question; Hector Lopez for question No. 2.