Does former Browns – and, ugh, Baltimore Ravens – owner Art Modell deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In a word, yes.
And in another word, no.
Wait, that’s two words.
Indeed.
That’s because Modell candidacy – he is, as a contributor, among the semifinalists for next year’s class – is the most difficult, and conflicted and confusing and controversial, in the history of the Hall.
Yes, Modell is worthy of a place in Canton because of all he did to further the NFL and the game of pro football itself. His work was extraordinary.
But no, he is not worthy of a place because he moved the Browns to Baltimore after the 1995 season when they didn’t have to be moved, when they shouldn’t have been moved.
And as great as his contributions to the league are – they are truly great – his negatives of The Move are even greater – in fact, much, much, much greater.
Because the negatives are bigger, they win out, which is to say no to his enshrinement.
Not just for now, either, but for forevermore. Just like in Edgar Allen Poe’s book, the impetus for the Ravens nickname since he lived most of his life in Baltimore, nevermore.
What he did to Northeast Ohio was – and still is — historically egregious. It can’t be ignored, or glossed over, like so many people in Baltimore want to do. This isn’t a cafeteria where you can pick and choose what you want to eat. You’ve got to consume all of it.
When you do, the end result is a really bad taste in your mouth, whether you’re from Baltimore or not.
Steve King
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