The Hatred For Art Modell Is Running Wild In Cleveland & It's Inexcusable

Written By Larry M. Glicken "LG"

The People in the City of Cleveland,Ohio are celebrating the death of Art Modell, some of the people who call themselves Browns fans never have gotten over the fact that Mr. Modell moved the team in 1995. Art Modell has a family, his body isn't even cold yet and people are slamming him still. It has been nearly 16 years since Modell moved the team, he had to do it, it was strictly a business decision and until the end of his life Art Modell had the utmost respect for the fans of the Cleveland Browns.
Modell did a lot of great things in the 35 years he was in Cleveland, he was instrumental in keeping the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland on two occasions.   If Mr. Modell didn't intervene the Indians would have been out of Cleveland years ago. Art Modell got a raw deal from the city of Cleveland. He was promised help in rebuilding the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium that was old and falling apart.  One of the biggest mistakes Mr. Modell ever made was taking over the stadium back in the early 1970's when the city of Cleveland itself was having financial troubles. Modell was responsible for all the up-keep to the old stadium, he pour over 80 million of his own dollars into maintaining that property.

When the city of Cleveland started to build the gateway project that would become the new home of the Indians and the Cleveland Cavaliers, they promised the Browns would be taken care of next. Those promises never materialized and Modell was left with no other choice but to move the team to save the franchise. Now, some of you may be thinking why didn't Modell sell the Browns? The problem with that was nobody wanted to buy a team that was playing in a Stadium that was built in the very early 1900's. Can you blame them? If you visited the place you know unless you had a choice seat it was difficult to see the game, you could be stuck trying to look through a giant steal beam that was directly in front of you.

The time has come for the people in the city of Cleveland to put their hatred for Art Modell behind them. Holding on to it can only make you sick. People were talking about the possibility of holding a moment of silence before the Browns open their season at home Sunday. The powers to be don't think this is a good idea because they are afraid that the people who hate Modell the most would make all kinds of noise that would only further blacken the eye of a city that has fought for years to make a come back.

Now I know a lot of football fans, basically these are all good people.  The City of Cleveland is full of good people, sure like any city across the country there are a few bad apples. It is time to show some respect, put down your hatred for Art Modell and give his family time to grieve. Just think for a moment how you would feel if your father just passed away early this morning. Mr. Modell does deserve the same respect anyone would get if someone passed in their family. Lets show the world Cleveland is full of good people and lets give Art Modell and his family the respect they deserve.
Even during a war, they take time out to take care of the dead. Don't show the world Cleveland isn't a great place to come and visit or even live here. Stop the silliness now and lets move on to the 2012 N.F.L. Season.

Lets remember if it wasn't for Art Modell, the Cleveland Clinic wouldn't be what it is today. If it wasn't for Art Modell the Hospice of the Western Reserve wouldn't be what is is today. Modell was there when people needed him, and now that his family needs some respect the Great People of Cleveland need to be there for them... The Word Forgive is all over the Bible, lets use it....Lets let Art Modell rest in peace....

Larry Glicken is the owner of www.clevelandsports360.com and the host of the Cleveland Sports 360 Show, an online streaming sports video show at www.streamingsportstalk.com