HOW DID CLEVELAND LOSE THE ORIGINAL BROWNS? //WHY ART MODELL DITCHED CLEVELAND & MOVED THE BROWNS

In this All Sports History video we'll look back at what happened to the Cleveland Browns when the team's owner Art Modell made terrible financial decisions that eventually led to the team moving away.
Here's what this "Cleveland Browns Football" video covers:
After winning eight championships early on in their existence, The Cleveland Browns firmly established themselves as a beloved part of the Cleveland community. So what exactly led to the team leaving after nearly fifty years, and then returning just three years later? In today’s video we’ll take a look back at how their meddling owner Art Modell, got himself into financial trouble after a series of disastrous decisions which left him feeling like he had no choice but to move the team.
We'll also look back at some Cleveland Browns highlights throughout their history, like the team's championship runs throughout the 1940's, 50's and 60's. We'll cover the different ownerships that ran team during their early years, and when Art Modell bought the team in 1960. Then we'll go through the team drafting running back Ernie Davis, and how that led to a rift between Modell and the Browns head coach Paul Brown (which ultimately led to Paul Brown's firing). We'll move on to the NFL and AFL merger and the first meeting between Paul Brown's two teams he created, the Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals. Next we'll head to the mid 1970's when Art Modell made a deal with Cleveland to run Municipal Stadium, and pay for it's improvements, a deal which later would turn out to be disastrous. We'll also cover infamous playoff moments in Cleveland Browns history, like "The Drive" and "The Fumble" which took place in back to back years of the AFC Championship. The games featured the classic matchup of the Cleveland Browns vs Denver Broncos. Finally, we'll see the how Art Modell's poor financial decisions led to him feeling like he no choice but to move the team after he failed to make an agreement with Cleveland on renovations to Municipal Stadium. The result of this was that the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, and became the Baltimore Ravens. But before then, we'll take a look at the Cleveland Browns last game 1995. During the game, angry fans of the Cleveland Browns throwing beer bottles on the field in disgust over the move. The city of Cleveland fought back, making a deal with the NFL to bring back their team. The Browns finally returned in 1999, three years after leaving for Baltimore.
So Art Modell announces move to Baltimore, what did you guys think of the Browns leaving Cleveland, and then being reactivated three years later? And what did you think about Art Modell never coming back to Cleveland? Let me know in the comments below!
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HOW DID CLEVELAND LOSE THE ORIGINAL BROWNS? //WHY ART MODELL DITCHED CLEVELAND & MOVED THE BROWNS

[@AllSportsHistory]

Hey Sports Historians! What did you think about Art Modell moving the Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore? Let me know in the comments!

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Thank you All Sports History.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Hey All Sports History can you do the whole conference?

[@Punnybone55]

I'm stridently opposed to any tax money from anywhere going to build stadiums, especially since many taxpayers can't afford to go to games in them. So, while I sympathize with the fans of Cleveland, Oakland, etc., at least their tax dollars were put to better use.

[@mrmoose6619]

Honestly... KZbin won't allow me to say what I truly think of this. All I can say is that Art Modell ruined the Browns and is the sole factor for this history.

[@akummo_was_not_here]

Bad idea of him moving

[@Hoovie9596]

Browns fans are cool. We went to the Colts vs Browns game in Indianapolis back in October. They were fun to talk to.

[@slashx86]

I’ve been a Browns fan my entire life. To my father, the Browns were closer to a religion than a sports than a sports franchise. There have only been two days in my life where I was legitimately worried that my dad was going to destroy everything in sight in a blind rage. September 11th and the day that Modell announced the move. In Cleveland, art Modell will always be a dastardly supervillian. And I’ll never understand how Baltimore fans went from the Colts screwing them in 1984 to being totally ok with getting a team as a result of Art screwing Cleveland. I could never do that.

[@ericlehman6841]

I can understand where you're coming from. It is understandable that you're upset with Art. However, I also think that the city could have been more fair to him. Additionally, your part about Baltimore taking our team, after it lost its in 1984, I see. It was all a huge mess!

[@wreklesstv3230]

@@ericlehman6841 Cleveland not building a domed stadium that would have kept the original Browns (Ravens) here for good was the cities biggest mistake. Instead we got a glorified expansion team that still hasn't recovered to be a legit NFL team since the 80s. The real punch in the gut was the Ravens winning after they left. But I agree, the irony that Baltimore got their team ripped away like they did just to rip away the Browns from Cleveland is wild.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@wreklesstv3230 Art Modell didn't think that he was in revenue debt because of the stadium. That was the first mistake! I just wish that he could have seen that ahead of time.

[@mrterp04]

Baltimore fans had put up with a lot: -being used as a “stalking horse” by any team wanting a better lease from their current city -the Cardinals being thisclose to coming to town before deciding on Phoenix because the owner preferred to go someplace warm (seriously) -having the second-strongest bid in the 1995 expansion derby, but missing out because the commissioner thought that Baltimore was “a museum town” -Peter Angelos nearly acquiring the LA Rams, only for Jack Kent Cooke to block the move with some shady backdoor deals After all that the state, city, and fans were through playing by the rules.

[@markjohnson9485]

You make a very good point. The people of Baltimore didn't mind trying to screw us over. had they fought like we did. They could have kept their team in Baltimore That's Why I dislike that franchise and that's it.

[@sdeepj]

Because of Modell moving the Browns to Baltimore, Ohio passed a law that prohibits the moving of any team that has received public funding without thoroughly vetting a local buyer or someone who will keep the team in place. Thanks to this law, the Columbus Crew of MLS was not allowed to be moved to Austin. And it was the Browns current owners, the Haslam’s, who bought the team

[@kevinmadden1645]

I doubt that this law would survive a legal challenge.

[@NapTownKid410]

Fun Fact: Paul Brown's very first coaching job was at the Severn School. At the time it was a preparatory school for the Naval Academy. The school is located in Severna Park, Maryland which is a suburbs of Baltimore. Ironically, Steve Bisciotti, the current Ravens owner is from Severna Park and also attended Severn for a bit.

[@OldManButtercup]

As a Cleveland Browns fan. I will never forgive Art Modell. What he took from us can never be replaced or repaired. He so easily could have sold the Browns to Al Lerner and bought a franchise in Baltimore, but his evil wickedness and soulless heart, wanted to punish the fans in Cleveland. I have never wished for anyone to burn in hell except Art Modell. I am happy however that Baltimore got the winning team they deserve after losing their team in the middle of the night. I think about all the success the Patriots had under coach Bill for all these years and just wish that Art Modell wasn't such a piece of human excrement. That could have been Cleveland.

[@ericlehman6841]

It's possible. He may have been garbage, but the city officials are also responsible.

[@user-wf6fw5ul9w]

I got the biggest shock of my life a couple years ago when visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A bust of Art Modell was in the hall. Good thing I didn't have a hammer with me or I would be in prison now for destruction of property.

[@NA.NA..]

I like how the browns biggest rivals was the steelers and when they moved to Baltimore their biggest rivals was still the steelers.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Hatred so deep even a dead man is to awaken from their slumber

[@steviehoare7713]

With the steelers it’s a rivalry i respect the franchise but want to beat them. With the rat birds it’s pure distain cos how they robbed us who knows we could of been SB champs

[@frankshaffer7645]

Like I said before... The Browns' ownership, once Modell bought them, made them a total joke.

[@halblow448]

​​@@steviehoare7713 Sorry, but after the move, the Browns' misfortune is purely due to Lerner's and Haslam's mismanagement not the Ravens' success, considering the MVPs of both Super Bowls never played a down as a Brown. The Ravens-Steeler, of course, is based on respect. You have to respect the team that is either breathing down your neck or right in front of you in the standing and not the constant cellar dweller.

[@kiaadams104]

​@@halblow448F the ravens. Fake team

[@princessjava42]

Baltimore fans wanted an expansion team. We didn't want to take another city's team after the way we lost the Colts. We had a CFL team briefly because we wanted to show Baltimore is a football town. Over a decade after the Colts left, Charlotte and Jacksonville got expansion teams, but Baltimore was once again ignored. It's sad it took another team moving for Baltimore to get an NFL team again.

[@ericlehman6841]

It really was. Baltimore shouldn't have dangled the carrot, instead should have waited to see if Cleveland would've passed the stadium bill or not. It should have been worked out better between Cleveland and Baltimore. Also, Art Modell should not have bit off more than he could chew with the stadium. He should have asked for a new stadium much sooner. Lastly, Al Lerner should have tried to work something out with Baltimore to get an expansion team in 1999, instead of orchestrating a move from Cleveland to Baltimore. Ultimately, the NFL shouldn't have approved the move until it was known whether or not the bill to build a new stadium passed or failed. Finally, Mayor Mike White should've said earlier the date on the stadium and that it passed. He should have had an official date for the stadium to be completed. So, there's a lot of people to fault here!

[@johnepants]

Didn’t Art help block expansion to Baltimore? He knew Baltimore was his way out of financial trouble and didn’t want to lose his golden goose

[@ericlehman6841]

@@johnepants Unfortunately, I believe that it's true. It just all looks shady, now.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@johnepants Also, Al Lerner whom orchestrated the move in approximately 1995, bought the team three years later. It's all unfortunate, now. Although, I still think the lease and the matter of the stadium is partially on the city.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

@@ericlehman6841 At the end of the day, Cleveland had a new franchise within 3 years and got to keep their name and history. As far these team relocations, they gotta better deal than most. In comparison Baltimore had to wait 12 years for a new franchise and that included getting passed over by two smaller markets during a expansion period.

[@bluemountain555]

Relocation stories are always interesting. For a future project, please include a story on 1) the Raiders and their many relocations from Oakland to LA then back to Oakland before moving to Las Vegas, 2) the Rams moving from LA to St. Louis before moving back to LA, and speaking of St. Louis, how about history about 3) Arizona Cardinals and how there were originally Chicago Cardinals who became St. Louis Cardinals (NFL, not MLB) before moving to Phoenix.

[@AllSportsHistory]

All of those are great topics to cover, definitely plan on doing the LA Raiders soon!

[@vinceniederman]

@@AllSportsHistory The Raiders Relocation is a Fantastic Idea For a Sports Video!

[@mrmoose6619]

If you do the Rams, don't forget the original move... they are (unofficially in parentheses) the Cleveland, Los Angeles, (Anaheim), St. Louis, Los Angeles, (Inglewood) Rams. Yes, they are the LA Rams in both move instances in the market area, so it's unofficial... especially since Anaheim did not get the recognition until the Mighty Ducks... but it is a different venue.

[@bluemountain555]

@@mrmoose6619 But if you're talking about Anaheim and its professional teams, then there was always the Angels which was always based out of Anaheim. In this case, the MLB team was always based out of Anaheim and instead, the name of its franchise is what changed from California Angels to Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

[@mrmoose6619]

@@bluemountain555 True... but the Angels did not recognize Anaheim until 1997 (though they never moved, they were the California Angels until then). The (Mighty) Ducks recognized Anaheim as their home in 1993. The LA Rams never recognized Anaheim or Inglewood (the latter would be awkward) that was the point I was making. Same with the Lakers (playing at the Forum)...

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Thanks for this history of one of the first teams that I followed since Denver didn't have a successful team, and I really liked Jim Brown. He was also one of the greatest LaCrosse players where he played both sports at Syracuse.

[@fernycastillo619]

I feel like the greatness the Browns organization had early in its history left when the team relocated. The Ravens also had success early in their history and have remained consistently successful. I wonder how Browns fans feel about this?

[@ethanweeter2732]

A lot of it was because they kept the GM and players. Browns had to start from scratch. Ravens were a new franchise, but not an expansion franchise.

[@frankshaffer7645]

It left once Modell bought the team. Every owner since has been the same kind of idiot. Lerner, Modell's buddy. Truckstop Fraudster Haslem.

[@TmoneybagsWalker]

It aucks but we good

[@28dawan]

@@ethanweeter2732 wrong, ozzy Newsom Was promoted to GM. The Ravens was trash its first two years decent the third year. The Ravens only had two browns players Remaining for the first Super Bowl run, But they was a new franchise and expansion had nothing to do with their success

[@anthonyanderson9303]

@@28dawan Exactly and one of those was the kicker. The Ravens were as good as an expanchise franchise for all intents and purposes.

[@erikriggs4954]

Here's a good suggestion: The Oakland/California Golden Seals/Seals of the NHL

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yep that’s a good one, it’s on my to do list!

[@cubingclassroomfan4323]

Cleveland barrons

[@KidTonyGaming]

Ahhh the Oakland Golden Seals of California Seals

[@michaelleroy9281]

Do the Minnesota North Stars moving to Dallas, I know the story but there has to be much more

[@michaelleroy9281]

@@cubingclassroomfan4323 There isn't much a history there only 1976-78

[@michaelragnanese]

Art Model trouble started not because he was an evil man, but because he wasn't a business man. He was a man who made terrible business decisions. A man who didn't know what he was doing. However, in the end with all the pain and hurt Art Model caused in Cleveland. Art Model.. did the right thing by never returning to Cleveland and not having his named mention in Cleveland after his death.

[@bmorebamma]

And some seem to forget what happened in Baltimore with the Colts.

[@eddiegeorge1878]

Yea he was so broke when stadium was packed every sun gimmy a break u have to be filthy rich not kinda rich it's a hobbie for super rich ok to many broke ass owners out here

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@eddiegeorge1878He lost money because he did not make concessions for the Indians to stay at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, so when they moved to Jacobs Field he lost all that revenue from suite rentals for Indians games. His business management cost himself $21 million. He should have just sold the team and then relocated as an expansion team. It would have taken more than 5 seasons for them to win a SB, but because he had players and the Browns GM, he could rebrand and still win. Had they let him retain the Browns name, they would have been credited with the SB, but in Baltimore. Probably why I will never root for the Ravens.

[@ethanweeter2732]

@@eddiegeorge1878He was not broke. How else could he afford to move to Baltimore? He got help from taxpayers to move the team, but he still had to spend money just to move and probably retain the rights to players and everything else.

[@ericlehman6841]

I just wish that he would have seen the potential financial problems with Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

[@cuse445]

Can you imagine Brown and Davis in the same backfield, from the same college? Cuse Heaven! Long live #44!

[@youngzeus87]

It's like the late 80s Celtics starring a young Len Bias and Reggie Lewis. Bird and McHale get to hang on longer. It's not fair

[@cuse445]

@@youngzeus87 Nature is a cruel thing. But our football field is named after the Express, and although I'm not big on sports statues we have wonderful statues of Jim Brown and Ernie I think they're gonna but Floyd Little next to the other two, nice legacy for a basketball powerhouse to do.

[@kevinmadden1645]

Maybe. Davis wouldn't be the first Heisman bust .

[@jacksolitaire697]

Thanks for the video mate, much appreciated!

[@AllSportsHistory]

No problem 👍

[@jaredklein5353]

That was an excellent overview of the Browns history from the beginning to reactivation. I grew up in Cleveland and remember all of the f*ck Modell signs all around downtown during the 1995 season and the city being heartbroken. You have to wonder if the Bill Belichick coached team with Nick Saban on staff would have gone far in the playoffs if they hadn't moved or if they hadn't moved and kept Ozzie Newsome, one of the best GMs ever, and hired Brian Billick, would Cleveland have won the superbowl.

[@vinceniederman]

To This Day Many Cleveland Browns Fans Are Still Bitter About The Ravens Winning Super Bowl 35!

[@phillyfan-182]

More in depth than Cleveland 95 football life episode

[@aaronwilliams6989]

@@vinceniederman I would be too in their shoes!

[@vinceniederman]

@@aaronwilliams6989 Me Too If I Was a Browns Fan!

[@akeme25]

The Browns did start 4-1 before the relocation announcement. That must’ve demoralized the whole entire team, not just the fans

[@imannonymous7707]

Imagine a backfield of jim brown and ernie davis, they would have dominated the league for years

[@maxnikolenko2302]

ALL SPORTS HISTORY... I would simply like for you to know that your work is greatly appreciated by at least this one youtuber(me). I am a Cleveland Browns fan, and I would like to express my gratitude for your time, effort, and resurch that you have invested to produce this sport documentory. I value you tubers such as yourself for producing quality content that is meaningful and insightful. It tells a true story, and most importantly I was able to learn something new about my favorite football team. Anytime I am able to learn, I considet that time well spent. THANK YOU and GO BROWNS SON!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AllSportsHistory]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that and I’m glad you enjoyed the video, and that’s awesome you learned something new as well!

[@vinceniederman]

@@AllSportsHistory Which Other Sports Teams Do U Have In Mind For These Sports Videos Which I Enjoy As a Sports Fan Myself?

[@WDI2008]

21:49 Need to do a video about the Baltimore Colts/Ravens Marching Band-The Band That Wouldn't Die.

[@huejerection4942]

The LA Rams franchise got their start in Cleveland as the Cleveland Rams. The Bengals were founded by Paul Brown, the guy who the Browns are named after. Rams VS. Bengals play in the SB this year. So I guess in a way people were right...browns are going to the SB in 2022.

[@michaelleroy9281]

They suspended operations for one year 1943 probably because of the war (Cleveland Rams)

[@vinceniederman]

@@michaelleroy9281 Yup But The Rams Didn’t Fold!

[@ericlehman6841]

I guess it was a Super Bowl which started with a Cleveland connection.

[@karlcooper7016]

The ravens will never replace the colts in my heart or in my mind.

[@karlcooper7016]

I saw on the video that the late Art Modell also enveloped the Colts old marching band am I missing something I never heard them play anything yet the old Marching band stood out as much as the team did something got lost.

[@ericlehman6841]

I don't blame you for feeling that way. Also, even though I'm a Browns fan, it's nothing personal against Art Modell or Bob Irsay. You probably have many memories of the Colts. Which is why you probably feel that way.

[@naveensatija7257]

Just discovered this channel. Cant believe it only has 9k subs. For sure going to blow-up.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you, appreciate the support!

[@WCornersfilms]

Great work...subscribed

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks, appreciate it!

[@vinceniederman]

@@AllSportsHistory Love These Sports Vids As a Sports Fan Myself!

[@casual-bat-man]

Hey love the content, could you do the astrodome? I love that stadium

[@AllSportsHistory]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Yeah I want to do more histories on stadiums and arenas, so the Astrodome would be a good one to cover!

[@bigdaddyl-rob7445]

Great video!! Love these type of videos! Would love to see you do a video on the history of domed stadiums in pro sports!

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks! Yeah I’d love to do more stadium and arena videos.

[@michaelleroy9281]

1965 Houston Astrodome where it all started

[@SkarKingg]

I'm fully against domes as football is best played in all weather conditions other than lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes ECT

[@chrisburnett9905]

The most fascinating part of the story you so excellently told is how the Ernie Davis signing in 1962 led to Paul Brown's firing. Brown was iconic in Ohio sports history not just because of the Browns but also because earlier in his career he had coached the Massillon High School football team. My family worshipped Brown because he had worked with my great aunt as a teacher at the high school and backed her decision to flunk a star football player in her class and thereby make him ineligible. They thought this demonstrated that Brown was a man of integrity. I was only 10 in 1962 but I remember reading a book at the time about Davis's tragic death from leukemia in 1963. I later interviewed Brown when he was coach of the Bengals in 1973 and I was a reporter for the AP in Cincinnati.

[@allenmynatt9571]

Great video

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thank you!!

[@MrAce-lm8es]

1961 - 1968 - The Rift that lead to Paul Brown creating the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968.

[@michaelleroy9281]

I think Jim Brown had something to do with Paul Brown being fired in 1963

[@soar011belize]

@@michaelleroy9281 Art Modell caused that rift and later caused Jim Brown to retire

[@adamrmattock1]

Please do one on the winless Browns of 2017 and the 2008 Detroit Lions teams

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah that would be a good one!

[@mrmoose6619]

Bravo on mentioning the Baltimore CFL Colts (err.... Stallions) in this video. Yes, they almost were the Baltimore Colts, which is an interesting story in its own right (and so is the CFL Southern Experiment). The Stallions were about to host the CFL Southern Division Championship when the worst thing to happen to Cleveland sports announced the move. The Stallions had been getting 28-30,000 per game but this let the air out of the ball. And yes, they went on to win the Grey Cup as mentioned, being the only US based team to compete for the Grey Cup (they lost by 3 the year before).

[@nortonhatfield7312]

Maybe you should do a video on the history on the la/san Diego chargers .

[@gluserty]

Yeah, The original Baltimore Colts of 1950 disbanded and their players became part of the New York Yanks in 1951. Then the Yanks disbanded and their players were transferred to the 1952 Dallas Texans, who lasted 7 games in Dallas before going bankrupt & becoming wards of the NFL (practicing in Hershey, PA and playing home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio). They disbanded, and some players (Buddy Young & Art Donovan are two players that come to my mind) became part of the 1953 Baltimore Colts, and that's the Colts franchise we're familiar with.

[@bjnt92281]

16:40 I wish that we down here in Houston could have gotten a similar deal with Bud Adams to keep the Oilers name, colors, likeness and history.

[@gbalph4]

Sadly, Bud is quite petty on everything.

[@ericlehman6841]

I wonder why Bud Adams doesn't get the same bitterness.

[@bjnt92281]

@@ericlehman6841 Oh trust me down here in Houston he does.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@bjnt92281 I believe it.

[@ericlehman6841]

I actually think that the Tennessee Titans should let Houston buy back the name and history.

[@gb6710]

I’m a big Packers fan. Could you do a video on the fall of the Packers after Vince Lombardi left the organization?

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah, that would be an interesting video for sure!

[@david_pitt43]

Awesome vid, who's next?

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks! Probably the Seattle Pilots ✈️

[@casual-bat-man]

@@AllSportsHistory so a baseball video?

[@david_pitt43]

@All Sports History Have you thought about doing the New Jersey Nets?

[@theooh-rahreport8880]

Could u do a video on the CFL history or like defunct leagues like the usfl

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yep it’s on my list topics to cover :)

[@christopherdonaldson8231]

That's why the Baltimore Ravens (first Cleveland Browns) won two Super Bowls!

[@crosstatt7441]

I truly believe that everyone who wants to hear anything about Art Modell’s debt, should listen to an interview. It was from 2006 and the interviewer was Mike Trivosanno. You should give it a listen, if you haven’t.

[@penguinsfan251]

Unless there had been a new football stadium built in Cleveland, the Browns were headed out due to the passage of the Gateway Project and the deterioration of Cleveland Stadium. Batlimore itself did not finance or build the stadium. The Maryland Stadium Authority was established some time after Irsay moved the Colts. It was mostly funded by the Maryland Lottery and first built Camden Yards. Lerner had pull with Maryland banks and helped refinance his considerable debt. If the Browns had an owner who was a better businessman, that owner would not have stayed in Cleveland Stadium as long as Modell did. How the hell do I know? I grew up near Cleveland...never a Browns fan because we were from western Pennsylvania, and I lived near Baltimore when I worked in DC from 1989-93.

[@areguapiri]

I wish Bill Cosby would have been part owner to add diversity to the ownership.

[@crosstatt7441]

I wish that Art Modell would have had better communication with the Cleveland officials. Also, it would have been nice if Baltimore wouldn’t have dangled the carrot at him. Last but not least, the NFL shouldn’t have approved the move. I blame all four for what happened! Mayor White did a good job of keeping the history here. However, the Baltimore officials should have known how it felt to lose their team, so they shouldn’t have done that to Art. Finally, I will appreciate how Art and Pat were very philanthropic in Cleveland. I will always be thankful for the hospice care and Art’s visionaries. It was hurtful that the former said that he wouldn’t move the Browns, but did. Additionally, Al Lerner finally bought the Browns, whom I believe Art would have sold it to, if he wouldn’t have been able to sell it to his family. At least, we have a team in Cleveland. Even though he eventually won Super Bowl XXXV with Baltimore, I’m sure a part of him, would’ve preferred to share it in Cleveland. Pro sports is strictly business, so it is what it is. Turning to my faith to forgive both Art Modell and Bob Irsay, as well as others. I will always remember the good things that he did in Cleveland, but it was very painful what happened. Al Lerner wanted a team of his own. It’s all a big mess!

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Ravens won Super Bowl 47 for 2012 season the year Art Modell died

[@charlescline8943]

Bud Adams kept threatening to move the Oilers every so often. The move to Nashville was the 3rd time he threatened to move the team. The city of Houston had had a belly full Bud Adams' crap.

[@michaelleroy9281]

There were rumors of Adams moving the Oilers to Jacksonville around 1987

[@forgottenplaces9780]

The land in Strongsville actually is where the Southpark Mall sits today

[@crosstatt7441]

Yes, and interestingly enough the ridiculous jokes about the Browns are on “South Park” which is around the time the mall opened and the show started.

[@reedr7142]

The Raiders didn’t have many relocations between Oakland and LA. They moved from Oakland to LA, and then back to Oakland. That’s it.

[@vinceniederman]

@All Sports History After The Drive and The Fumble The Browns Were Not The Same After That Also Art Modell Once Said “I Will Never Move The Browns” Which Was a Lie!

[@crosstatt7441]

He did many good things here, such as endorsing Republican candidates and helping build hospice. However, a part will always hurt because of his greed and the Move.

[@Punnybone55]

I wish the NFL would reallign completely based on geography. It makes no sense that the 3 NFL teams in Florida are in 3 different divisions or that a team in a state that touches Lake Michigan would be in a Southern division.

[@djtrankilo231]

NFL probably would, but some of these teams have built up big rivalries with each other, despite geography. Cowboys should technically be in the NFC South, but they're not gonna break up their rivalries with the Giants, Eagles and Washington

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah too much history between teams, like the Cowboys being rivals with everyone in the NFC east. Unfortunately that leaves teams like the Colts having to play in the AFC South.

[@jmad627]

As a Giants fan I could never understand why the Dallas Cowboys were in our division and the Atlanta Falcons were, at one time, in the NFC West.

[@citizenmikeyone]

I agree totally // I’m a former NFL fan but they need to re-align // Forget the so-called rivalries; most would still be preserved, plus new geographic rivalries would emerge… Here’s my alignment: EASTERN CONFERENCE Northeast division = BUF/NWE/NYG/NYJ Mid-Atlantic division = PHL/BAL/WSH/CHR (Charlotte) Southeast division = ATL/JAX/TB/MIA Central/‘Rust’ (Belt) division = DET/PGH/CLE/CIN WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest/‘Great Lakes’ division = INDY/CHI/GB/MIN Southwest division = NSH/NO/DAL/HOU Mountain division = KC/DEN/LV/PHX Pacific division = LA/LA/SF/SEA That’s my solution and I’m sticking with it 🏈

[@WDI2008]

23:29 About half of the NFL Teams would use Los Angeles, California as a bargaining chip in order to get a new stadium built in their current market.

[@djtrankilo231]

Now, Austin, Texas will be the new chip

[@AllSportsHistory]

Exactly, Houston and LA were the two big threats right after the Browns, Raiders, Rams, and Oilers left. Of course once Houston got the Texans, LA became the biggest threat for teams to use.

[@WDI2008]

@@AllSportsHistory Definitely need to include that when you do your video about the NFL in LA!

[@1wmoss]

Art Model was a disgrace after selling the Cleveland Browns the NFL should not have allowed him to own another team what he did to that City is disgusting

[@scottzappa9314]

I guess the Colts got screwed worse than the Browns but they still did. It's not really anything against Baltimore at all, speaking as a Browns fan. Had no idea the fans went that nuts tearing apart the old stadium but it's not surprising. Modell was one of the most inept businessmen of all time. You could really say at this point the team is named after Jim Brown as well as Paul.

[@joeblow4353]

Modell got rid of Paul Brown and Jim Brown. The organization made many poor draft choices under Modell's tenure, especially in the 1960's and 1970's. Success declined. The Steelers took the opposite direction, making great draft choices, having stability with the head coach, and ultimately winning four Super Bowls. Modell was incompetent and unstable. He should never have gotten into football. I'm not going to work as a golf pro - teaching golf - because I've never played golf. As Clint Eastwood said in 'Magnum Force', 'Man's got to know his limitations.' Dumb Art Modell didn't know his innate limitations.

[@josephpatton8869]

This event cut the cord of “fandom” for me. That has actually been a good thing. Most NFL owners are ego-maniac, borderline supervillains. All professional sports have a certain degree of corruption. We will see how much worse things get now that gambling is everywhere. It’s entertainment, nothing more.

[@KidTonyGaming]

Paul Brown is so influencal 3 NFL teams have something to do with PB, The Ravens/Browns were named after and coached by him. The Current Browns are named after Paul Brown The Bengals stadium is named after Paul Brown (Creator and Head Coach) (Paul Brown Stadium)

[@SkarKingg]

And his son Mike Brown the owner of the Bengals is a POS

[@eddiegeorge1878]

Yea but dude was a complete asshose he was a world war 2 like officer so he didn't cut any slack arrogant racist the players hated him but he was a killer

[@kiaadams104]

He loved the Browns. His first child. Ravens and Bengals are pesky bastard children.

[@crosstatt7441]

Art Modell and Paul Brown really built the AFC Northern.

[@ericlehman6841]

You understand that the Browns/Ravens franchise doesn't and never existed. However, I see your point about Paul Brown.

[@TheZoinx]

Im still.sick about.the move. It was the saddest day of my life. My father and I were absolutely devastated

[@crosstatt7441]

Art Modell did many wonderful things such as help with negotiating contracts for Monday Night Football and getting the Cleveland Browns to play in the AFC Championship Game three times. However, he also caused a lot of hurt feelings when he moved the team from Cleveland to Baltimore. He probably shouldn’t have agreed to take on responsibility of Cleveland Municipal Stadium. It’s what got him into debt to begin with. The city was also responsible for the team leaving.

[@karlcooper7016]

Brown had a prototype tiger striped helmet I noticed that thing must have been in the planning stages for a while.

[@karlcooper7016]

I was surprised to see that photo but quite frankly I'm ready to see the return of that old helmet with BENGALS written on it in some form even if it's on a temporary basis I don't like the tiger stripes splashed over the uniform.

[@michaelleroy9281]

December 17, 1995 was the last home game for the original Browns

[@vinceniederman]

The Fans Threw Everything on The Field Which Was Crazy!

[@kendraftman]

@@vinceniederman December 31, 2017 was the last game for the revived Cleveland Browns 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀= 0-16

[@vinceniederman]

@@kendraftman I Remember That Year From a Eagles Fan!

[@kendraftman]

@@vinceniederman Yes the Browns blew the Carson Wentz trade back in 2016 When the Browns gave the 2nd over pick (and the Superbowl) to the Eagles in exchange for 5 picks in 2016 and 2017.

[@robertbyrd4731]

Art Modell is WHY communities should not be held hostage by scum with money!

[@joshualewis7692]

What I can't get over is how they got wrong in the expansion draft. Kurt Warner was available.

[@Mikethedonsfan]

Do the L.A.Dons please

[@ralphstevens2776]

No one like the browns moving to Baltimore but what did people think when the Colts left Baltimore for Indianapolis

[@benjaminwoodward9272]

Today I learned the Browns fired the man they are named after.

[@bobwhite2]

Art Modell had to have his way. He fired Paul Brown (top 5), fired Bill Belichick (maybe top 10), fire Marty Schottenheimer (a great coach), then whined because the city wouldn’t bend a knee. So he ran off to Baltimore one night, and never returned.

[@DoubeEdged7]

They became the Ravens and moved to Baltimore and won 2 SB trophies

[@kendraftman]

And Jimmy Haslam and Paul DePodesta Killed the Cleveland Browns in 2017 with 0 and 16 and named the Worst Team Of All Time.

[@michaelleroy9281]

​@ken draftman I believe that's still the 1976 Buccaneers with all the jokes from John McKay

[@DoubeEdged7]

@@kendraftman Detroit lions also were 0-16 one season

[@phillipmorales8886]

He (Art) should have never owned the Browns he didn't know what he was doing. The 1990's in the NFL was dubbed 'Franchise Free Agency" it was nothing but teams relocating to other cities. The Rams, Raiders, The Browns, and of course the Oilers left. The Seahawks almost left, all because they couldn't get new stadiums.

[@ericlehman6841]

I didn't know that about the Seahawks.

[@layneroschen1487]

The Browns should have folded up rather than move

[@AllSportsHistory]

And be deprived of comically poor front office decisions for the last 25 years? No way!

[@georgeheisler5291]

Just to set the record straight about real facts behind why the Colt "Move out in the Middle of the Night". 1) The City of Baltimore was upset the Colt decided to leave and they then ran down to their State Legislature to try and expand the Maryland’s Eminent Domain laws to include personal property. This would allow the Baltimore to take control of the Colts Football Equipment and impound them via the courts. 2) Bob Irsay talked with his Legal Team and was told if the property is not located in Maryland, they could not take control of it, even if the change to the law passed. 3) Bob called the Mayor of Indianapolis about what the lawyer told him, the Mayor replied “no problem”. 4) The Mayor then called the CEO of MayFlower Moving which just happened to have its Corporate Headquarters in Indianapolis. 5) The CEO quickly repeated the same “no problem” line and stated how many moving vans are needed and they would all would be no charge. 6) Now for the geography lesson: The time it takes for a Moving Van to travel from Indy to Baltimore is around 12-14 hrs with tandem drivers and fuel stops. So, if they left in the morning, they would get there around 8-10 PM. 7) I am sure the Colts would have everything ready to load quickly. 9) So, why would you stay overnight in a city trying to take control of your property? 10) So, they just turned around and headed back home to Indy. 11) I lived in Indy at the time and my father was a retired OL coach for the Cleveland Browns. I also was able later to have a chat with his friend Weeb Ewbank and set him straight on why the Colts left town in the “middle of the night”.

[@ryanstrnad1852]

Well the Browns fans loved the team, Modell made a bold decision of leaving knowing that the fans would be upset. I heard that that new baseball stadium couldve been built to have been convertible to add tens of thousands of seats for football games, but obviously Modell passed. I think he was so desperate he needed the revenue from the baseball team to survive. Hence why he left within two years after he lost that baseball revenue.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

There was indeed a plan to have a convertible stadium at Gateway, but neither Art Modell or the Indians wanted it. The lease the baseball team had at Cleveland Stadium was horrendously one-sided in favor of Modell's "Stadium Corporation" business venture, and understandably they wanted to get out from underneath that bondage and control their own destiny. Money-hungry Modell, meanwhile, would have made zero profit off the Indians in a new stadium after doing so for 20 years at Municipal Stadium. So obviously you can see why HE wasn't in love with the idea.

[@ericlehman6841]

I feel Modell was definitely at fault, but I can't fully absolve the city, either. Especially, Mayor Mike White for not giving him a date on the stadium bill.

[@ericlehman6841]

The politicians are also to blame for the move. Even Mike White didn't act fast enough on a new stadium.

[@ericlehman6841]

Dick Jacobs (Cleveland Indians owner) didn't want a multipurpose stadium either.

[@billnicholas271]

So he couldn't even afford the team to begin with. Plus, he was basically exiled from Cleveland.

[@vinceniederman]

Which is Good Cause He’s Still Hated by Browns Fans For The Move Even After He Passed Away in 2012!

[@thenextrung]

Please do the original LA Rams, and Saint Louis Cardinals(NFL) when you get the chance.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Already on my future to do list :)

[@michaelbaucom4019]

The football Cardinals were in Chicago until 1960, then moved to Arizona in the late 1980s from St Louis

[@crosstatt7441]

The Rams were once a Cleveland team, too.

[@de132]

Paul Brown just seems like the type of dude you'd run through a brick wall for as a player.

[@Nicksonian]

Art Modell was a jerk! Thanks for further confirmation of what I’ve long thought. I grew up in suburban Cleveland and was always a Browns fan. I moved to Annapolis, Maryland some years after Robert Irsay broke Baltimore’s heart by literally sneaking the Colts operation to Indianapolis. Still a Browns fan, I watched in horror as spineless, loser, incompetent Modell played up to Maryland Governor Parris Glendening who had no compunction against stealing a team just as the Colts had been stolen from Baltimore. Despite being a Maryland resident, I hated the Ravens, even more so when they quickly won the Super Bowl which should have been Cleveland’s prize. Ironically, despite the sweetheart deal Modell got from Maryland, he still was such a business hack that he had to sell the team. No team, and he could never return to Cleveland. Served the jerk right. Over decades I have slowly become a Ravens fan. The Ravens consistent winning, and the Browns’ long period of mediocrity have pushed me more into the Ravens camp, but not entirely. The Browns will always be number one, despite Art Modell’s history.

[@ericlehman6841]

He may have been a jerk when it came to running the stadium. However, Mike White was an a jerk, too.

[@crosstatt7441]

I have mixed feelings about Art Modell deciding on working on the stadium issue.

[@WDI2008]

20:24 Bill Belichick would ultimately go on to become head coach of the New England Patriots and win six Super Bowls with Tom Brady!

[@kmena05]

I always found it messed up that the moved the Old Browns to Baltimore and they succeeded, while the New Browns haven't found success yet, at least Cleveland kept the name and history, Im from Houston and it would be like if the Titans won the SB in 1999 the first year they were known as the Titans but after that they carried on the Houston Oilers tradition of being garbage.

[@ericlehman6841]

Bud Adams is the one who I ask about.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

What happened to the original Browns? Art Modell failed at trying to con and swindle a stadium out of Cleveland taxpayers, but succeeded in doing so in Baltimore. All's well that ends well. I'm a Bengals fan. If it weren't for Art Modell making stupid decisions such as firing the iconic Paul Brown as head coach, my team wouldn't even exist. So thanks, Art. 👍

[@EPCOTFan82]

It is pretty funny that Art Modell is the reason 2 out of the 4 AFC North teams exist. (Technically 3 if you count the current brown). Might as well rename the AFC North to the Modell Division lol

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

​​​@@EPCOTFan82you know, I never thought of that. Modell bought the original Browns and was the owner in Cleveland for 35 years. When he bought the team, he fired Paul Brown who went on to help create the Cincinnati Bengals. And in 1995, he moved the original Browns to Baltimore where they became the Ravens, thereby reaching a settlement with the NFL and Cleveland that they would get a new Browns team. So you are absolutely correct. With the exception of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Modell was either directly involved with, or made decisions that led to the creation of all the teams in our division.

[@crosstatt7441]

The Bengals almost left, too.

[@ericlehman6841]

I foolishly said that Mayor Mike White kept the records here. However, I blame him for the move because he should have announced what happened. So, the city is also at fault.

[@ericlehman6841]

I hear Mike Brown is a bit of a snake, too.

[@ericlehman6841]

Al Lerner had his cake and ate it, too.

[@jaredbattista4985]

The claim that Art is a poor business man and makes poor business decisions is a wrong. He was a believer in using leverage to acquire assets that have the potential to yield high cash flows. Unforeseen circumstances: lawsuits, strikes, governmental sabotage. Lead to him not being able to retire debt and interest expenses ballooned. Yet he always found a way to remain solvent and keep operations afloat. Art, throughout his life, proved unequivocally his business acumen including the ability to effectively run large organizations. He is one of Americas greatest businessmen of all time. There is a lot to this story that you are oblivious too, although you have read the Wikipedia page.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Thanks for the feedback, I’ll look forward to your video on it :)

[@jaredbattista4985]

@@AllSportsHistory lmao thanks. I wish somebody would pay me to help produce a documentary about his life one day. Everybody human has good and bad qualities but Art did a lot more good in his life then bad. Still, he never should have moved the browns, that was cruel. It was a good business move though and that is my main point; the guy was not a dope professionally.

[@eddiegeorge1878]

Really why was he so broke fkn stadium was pked every sun he was a crook who got karma he was trying to double dip not share tax $ so naturally the city felt offended and they offered a loan so fk him was to proud to take

[@darlakajca6454]

​@@jaredbattista4985art modell was such a good businessman he went broke twice 🤪

[@crosstatt7441]

@@jaredbattista4985I didn’t understand all the business. However, as far as the move being cruel, but more good than bad, I absolutely agree.

[@kevin2400]

The fumble... Don't remind me

[@martinrenzhofer8241]

You never mentioned how Modell hardballed Jim Brown into retirement. All Brown, arguably the greatest back ever, wanted was a couple more days before coming to training camp. Wanted to finish a film and Modell decided to fine Brown every day he was not in camp. So Brown retired. I know, Leroy Kelly was great, but he was no Jim Brown.

[@user-xe4me8pv3b]

Never forget the disaster game between the Browns & the Jaguars nailed the coffin for the Original Browns in 1995.

[@michaelleroy9281]

I know that the the Browns of 1995 were the first team to lose to an expansion club ( Jaguars) twice in a season the final game of the original Browns was a loss at Jacksonville

[@soar011belize]

Art Modell will never get into the HoF he committed 3 football sins 1: pushed Jim Brown to retirement 2: firing Paul Brown 3: moving the Browns

[@ericlehman6841]

Paul Brown refused to play a black back.

[@soar011belize]

@@ericlehman6841 lmao what are you on. Paul Brown drafted Jim Brown in 1957, yes their relationship wasn’t smooth but Paul appreciated Jim’s greatness. They’re relationship just got more complicated when Art Modell came into the picture

[@ericlehman6841]

@@soar011belize That's what was said here.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@soar011belize Well, that's good to know.

[@bwill613]

Art Modell..a hero is Baltimore but a villain in Cleveland.

[@TheSSUltimateGoku]

22:25 It was actually 2004 when he sold the team not 2000.

[@AllSportsHistory]

In 2000, Modell sold 49 percent of the team to Stephen Biscotti with the option that Biscotti could buy Modell out in 2004, which he later did.

[@worksofuno7859]

What is never mentioned was how Art did the city pols a big solid back when he took the stadium off the city's hands when he formed the stadium corporation. The stadium corporation took all the stadium revenue, but the city no longer had to maintain it. That saved the city government mad money. The pols left Art hanging when they approved, the gateway project, a baseball stadium, an arena, and a rock and roll hof and nothing for the football franchise. When the baseball stadium was approved the pols knew they were cutting the legs from under Art as baseball had 81 dates. That meant Art had no income coming in to maintain a facility that was built in 1932. The pols, thought they could force Art to sell to Al. They never thought that Art would have the balls to move his team. His business. The pols made it impossible for Art to do business in Cleveland in the dilapidated Municiple Stadium. Art was forced to move his business.

[@danangell5482]

Um, no. The city did not leave him hanging when they approved Gateway. Modell believed his revenues weren't in any danger and said he didn't need to be part of Gateway. Then the Indians moved out, and Modell realized his mistake. He wasn't forced to move his business by anything other than a bad bet on his part.

[@worksofuno7859]

You folks just want to hold on to a damn narrative that Art was the fuckin devil and that he did the city wrong, when I know fuckin different. Narratives are NEVER based in truth. If anything, it was the other way around. George Voinovich, Mike White, and Paul Tagliabue thought they could leverage the situation Art was in, when Gateway was approved, by forcing Art to sell the Browns to AL Learner, and then build the Football stadium for AL. Art's so called friend, who sat beside him in the suite for every Browns game for as long as Art owned the team in Cleveland.. Al also had the deepest pockets in Cleveland, with the Gunds and the Dolans right behind him. Like I said earlier, those 4 people never thought Art had the balls to move HIS damn team. The Indians moved when Gateway provided the Dolans with a free GD brand new stadium and that cut the legs from under Art even trying to continue operating the Stadium without the 81 dates of revenue the Indians provided Art's Stadium corp.. The Browns were Art's damn property and whether you like it or not he had every right to move HIS GD team. He had to move his property because after Gateway was approved, Art could not operate an NFL team in Cleveland. Truth be told, 99.999% of the people living in Cleveland at the time would have done the same damn thing if they faced the circumstances Art was faced with. The narrative that the entire situation was Art's fault is not true AT ALL. Now Art's gone, his wife is gone and his son is gone. ALL the Modell's are gone and there is no one around to speak for Art and refute this bullshit narrative, because there are 2 GD sides to every fuckin story. I love the Browns but I was one of the very few Browns supporters who was happy for Art when his Ravens won the 2000 Super Bowl. Because I am old enough to remember what Art did in Cleveland and how the Learner family and the Haslem's now, pale in comparison to Art as the owners of the Cleveland Browns. People don't realize that Art DID NOT have to leave the colors, name and history in Cleveland. He had every right to take them to Baltimore with him. I'm old enough to remember the pre season double headers at the Stadium, when Art had two NFL games played in the Stadium on the same night. That shit was glorious and unique to the city of Cleveland. The Truth is for what Art has done for the NFL as owner of the Cleveland Browns he should have been a Hall of Famer a long time ago. Unfortunately that will never happen because you folks hang on the BS narrative about Art, and the real traitors to the city of Cleveland, George Voinovich, Mike White, Paul Tagliabue and Al Learner will never be outted for their BS. They will always be able to hide behind this bullshit narrative painting Art as the villian and traitor to Cleveland, when the truth is Art was one the better corporate citizens in the city of Cleveland when he owned the Browns. I am just sick of the bullshit piling on Art when there is no one to speak for him and his family. RIPART. It is time 2 bring the Lombardi2 The Land. LOVETHELAND. RIPJB32. Prayers 2 NICK24. GO BROWNS! 444theartofuno.com@@danangell5482

[@danangell5482]

@@worksofuno7859 Actually, you’re the one holding on to a BS narrative. Art Modell did NOT have the right to move the team; he had a signed lease requiring him to stay in Cleveland until 1998. That was why he had no choice but to leave the name, colors and history behind; the NFL knew that he had screwed over Cleveland and the city could legally force him to stay in Ohio for three years. Given the situation, staying because of a court order would likely bankrupt him. The NFL told him that either he was leaving the name, colors and history in Cleveland, or he was on his own in dealing with the lawsuit. He didn’t want to leave them behind; it was his only way to keep the team. And the Browns not being part of Gateway was Modell’s own damn fault. The city told him he could have a new stadium too as part of Gateway. He said no. Then he realized that without the Indians paying rent, he did need a new stadium. And when he went to the city, it got a new stadium on the ballot, but he wasn’t willing to stick around for the vote. There are not two sides to this story. Modell is the only villain, full stop.

[@worksofuno7859]

@@danangell5482We can agree to disagree. There are always to sides to every story, and I for don't like it when only one side gets to tell their story. Art didn't know a football from a helmet, but he always had one the game's highest payrolls and the football fans in Cleveland were always afforded with some of the league's lowest ticket prices. I heard that Art turned a stadium as part of Gateway project, but that really does not make any sense. I just don't believe that part of the story. In 1995 I knew something was up well before the season started because 1995 was the 50th year of Browns football and the Browns did absolutely nothing to promote the fact. Nothing. In 1985 Art went back to the original uniforms to commemorate the team's 40th year. My simple contention as a person who attended at least 100 Browns games in the old yard between 1965 and the end in 95, is that Art was not the GD devil as he has been made out to be. So many of the great memories of Browns football in Cleveland Municipal Stadium I have had Art's signature all over them. I can say that because of the disaster the NFL expansion team they branded the Cleveland Browns have been. The expansion team has been sucking the city dry emotionally and economically since they showed up in 1999. When Art moved his team in 95, The Cleveland Browns had the NFL's 5th highest all time winning percentage. The expansion team has recorded just two winning seasons, only one playoff appearance and 17 double digit losing seasons, in 24 seasons of operation and has made a mockery of what was great. That was not the case when Art owned the team. The Learner family did not deserve to own the Browns. I think the Haslem's have FINALLY put a representative team on the field this season, as they have produced the Black mark of a winless season, by actually deciding to tank for Baker Mayfield. When I say a representative team I mean a team that can actually win the AFC and bring the Lombardi to The Land. I have been waiting 59 fuckin' years. Browns, Lions, Super 58 in Vegas. It's just time for both fanbases. GO BROWNS!

[@danangell5482]

@@worksofuno7859 You don’t get to say that you don’t believe part of the story and then try to claim there’s two sides to it. When all the facts are considered, Modell was in fact the devil he’s been made out to be. Did he do some good things before the mid 1990s? Yes, he absolutely did. But when the chips were down, he cared more about passing the team to his son than he did about doing right by Cleveland and he expected someone else to bail him out of his bad business decision of not participating in Gateway. Had Art Modell died in 1992, he’d be remembered positively today. But with one stroke of a pen, he undid any good work he had done in Cleveland when he violated his lease and stole their team.

[@ericlehman6841]

It's a shame that Cleveland couldn't have built a new stadium. Although, I think Art Modell could have more up front with Cleveland. The city wasn't really fair to Art, but he should have been more up front.

[@danangell5482]

How was the city not fair to him? They offered him a new stadium, he said he didn't need one, he changed his mind after the Indians moved out, the city agreed to give him a second chance, he sabotaged the vote and the city still approved a new stadium. The city bent over backwards for him.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@danangell5482 I'll read up on him. He may have declined the Gateway Project. However, the city kept saying that it would get to building him a new stadium, but never did.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@danangell5482 I don't think that he understood revenue debt. I mean, later they did a vote, but he didn't think that it would pass. Art Modell should have been a better communicator. They should have said, "new stadium" again to him. That's where I feel that the city wasn't fair to him.

[@ericlehman6841]

@@danangell5482 By the way, Mayor White should've announced that it passed much sooner. So, I have to fault him for the move, also.

[@TheMissingLink2]

​@@ericlehman6841 He had multiple chance to get a staduim. What this video doesn't say was that he intentionally tried to derail the gateway project because he was trying to force the indians to stay as his tenant to keep collecting they revenue they brought in. Him rejecting being involved in that project was a gamble he took because he is a greddy asshole and he lost. Art lied when he said he didn't think the tax bill would pass, but polling had already showed several times that it would heavily pass. He announced the deal with baltimore literally the day before people could even vote on it.

[@santiagomagana3148]

What happened to the San Diego Chargers? Please

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yep it’s on my list!

[@TheManny717]

That’s easy. Also, we don’t want the Chargers at all.

[@michaelleroy9281]

What happened to the SAN DIEGO Chargers? The Spanos family

[@calsarchandler6851]

I will never understand why Cleveland fans wanted the Browns back. Let it go! It’s still not too late, change all of that bullshit! The colors, the name, all of it!

[@imagine9265]

Art modell screwed Cleveland and than he closed all his sport apparel franchises.

[@markjohnson9485]

This video is right on the money, as a clevelander the whole "Move" was an ugly affair.... I speak for many Clevelanders when I say I will never forgive Art for what he did. Ultimately justice was served, we have the Browns where they belong. In Cleveland, the city that loves them

[@ericlehman6841]

At least you didn't say all.

[@ericlehman6841]

Also, I'm glad that we got the Browns back.

[@markjohnson9485]

@@ericlehman6841 I take it that you are saying, that you were the exception?

[@ericlehman6841]

@@markjohnson9485 Yes, because I believe in forgiveness and Christ.

[@ericlehman6841]

Also, I blame the city for what happened, too. Baltimore is somewhat at fault, as well.

[@PierreGHedgehog]

screw art modell but seriously do a video on the original xfl that only ran in 2001

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah the XFL is on my to do list!

[@crosstatt7441]

A lot of people view Al Davis in Oakland and Los Angeles, the way many Clevelanders view Art Modell. Additionally, a lot of people in Houston feel the same way about Bud Adams.

[@anthonyrivera0917]

Here

[@eddiekulp1241]

What happened , they went to Baltimore

[@daviejz6698]

I laughed when that Browns fan pissed on Modell's grave.

[@michaelleroy9281]

And that fan drove many miles to do the job

[@lonniestephens6254]

To me it was unfair & wrong that he moved the team.

[@vinceniederman]

Agreed Then He Became a Villain in Cleveland Sports Lore!

[@lonniestephens6254]

@@vinceniederman I wonder what it would be like if the Original Cleveland Browns were still in existence?

[@vinceniederman]

@@lonniestephens6254 OMG Same!

[@jupitervideos7702]

​@lonniestephens6254 They still are. It is a common misconception that the Browns expansion team is a new expansion franchise. This is not true. Legally the Cleveland Browns lost all of their staff and players to the new Ravens; a replacement to the Browns. The Browns were then on a hiatus for when or if they would come back. Luckily, they did. There is no such thing as a Browns/Ravens franchise, they Browns history would have been retired similar to that of the Canton Bulldogs, not given to that of Baltimore.

[@crosstatt7441]

I believe that he was a good person, but he allowed greed to overwhelm him. Also, he helped with a lot of hospice plans in Cleveland and helped the Browns play in the first Monday Night game. However, it really hurt when he moved the team. It’s important to remember the positives, not just the negatives.

[@WDI2008]

23:13 A Cleveland Browns actually even drove all the way to Baltimore and urinated on Art Modell's grave

[@WDI2008]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZaWqIxtj92hf9U

[@paulmicheldenverco1]

It must have been sa1t in Cleveland fans wounds to see the Ravins win a SB in the 2000 season.

[@crosstatt7441]

It was painful for Cleveland in general. However, there were a few Ravens fans. I actually was happy that the Ravens won, too. No, I’m not a Ravens fan. I’m actually a Browns fan, but I was interested in how the city of Cleveland would respond to the win.

[@thunderlightning1980]

Baltimore Bengals! 😂😂😂😂 Good thing that never happened.

[@djtrankilo231]

I never knew Art Modell was a poverty business man like Mike Brown and Mike Davis are. I always thought Modell was just an evil business man who wanted everything for free, despite being able to afford whatever he wanted.

[@AllSportsHistory]

Modell was a decent promoter, from his TV exec days… but he was poor (in his ability and financially) at running a business or a team.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Art Modell was a much respected owner in the NFL then came 1995

[@ericlehman6841]

I think a lot about the move tarnished his legacy in Cleveland. However, he was far from a greedy human being. I said "human being", not NFL owner.

[@crosstatt7441]

@@AllSportsHistoryHe shouldn’t have agreed to run the stadium. If someone wouldn’t have stepped up, the Indians may have left Cleveland, though.

[@nortonhatfield7312]

Maybe Oakland should have done this with the raiders, keep the name and history in Oakland, and only move the team to Las vegas.

[@mayavenuemisfit814]

Oakland will probably never get another major professional sports franchise again after the A's leave town in a couple years. But I do agree with you. Leave the colors and history in Oakland where much of it was made.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Wrong Bill Belichick got the Browns into the playoffs for 1994 the playoff game was on New Years Day 1995 against his future team the Patriots

[@AllSportsHistory]

Yeah I guess I meant 1994 season