Art Modell, Late Jewish Owner of Ravens, Falls Short in Hall of Fame Vote
Art Modell, the late owner of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, was eliminated in the first round of voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The first round of voting took place on Saturday. It was the first time that Modell had qualified as one of the 125 names on the eligibility list and reached the final 15.
Modell, who was Jewish, died last Sept. 6.
He moved the Browns, which he purchased in 1961, to Baltimore in 1996, where they became the Ravens. Modell sold the team in 2003.
The Ravens are playing the 49ers on Sunday in the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
“Honestly, I’m kvelling over this game,” David Modell, one of the late owner’s two sons and a former president and CEO of the Ravens, told JTA last week. “I’m not praying for results, I’m praying for the strength and courage of this team, and the rest will take care of itself.”
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