As reactions and reflections and remembrance emerge following the passing of former Browns and Ravens owner Art Modell, the franchise that became the Browns after Modell took his team to Maryland has issued a statement regarding Modell’s death.
“The Cleveland Browns would like to extend their deepest condolences to the entire Modell family,” the team said.
That’s it. No name has been attached to the statement, and the team has issued no quotes from ownership or management regarding Modell’s legacy in Cleveland or in the NFL at large.
We realize that few folks in Cleveland have warm and fuzzy feelings for the man who took away the Browns, but the new Browns should have no ill will toward him. Indeed, the current organization wouldn’t even exist if the old Browns hadn’t moved.
So instead of issuing a perfunctory, almost reluctant, statement of condolences, the Browns should have said more — or maybe even nothing at all.
