RIP Art Modell: Respected NFL owner who broke hearts with controversial franchise move

Two teams, four decades, two championships: The former Baltimore Ravens owner, who controversially moved the Cleveland Browns from their home base in 1996, has died. Modell, a former NFL president who played a key role in bringing football to national television (most notably setting up the deal for “Monday Night Football”), says that he lost money by staying in Cleveland, which is why he eventually moved the team, which became the Baltimore Ravens. “This has been a very, very tough road for my family and me,” he once said. “I leave my heart and part of my soul in Cleveland. But frankly, it came down to a simple proposition: I had no choice.” Modell, who had to leave the team’s branding and records back in Cleveland (where a new franchise eventually came to life), sold off most of his stake in the Ravens in 2004.