Because of merely the stories of how he treated the great Paul Brown (which of course, if he hadn’t done so then no Bengals & I’d likely have grown up a regional Browns fan) I also have a hard time drumming up any more than just a little perfunctory sympathy for Art ####

People might not agree with me but this is the way I feel.

The CLEVELAND BROWNS are the Cleveland Browns! When the old team left Cleveland they ceased to be the Cleveland Browns. Some people think that team is the Browns… IT’S NOT. The Browns are playing on the lake on Sunday, where they belong!

Not that we haven’t always been, but let’s get behind them oldschool style Browns fans! The devil is gone. It’s a new time now. It’s our time again!

1 – ANYONE FROM BALTIMORE PITCHING NEGATIVE COMMENTS TOWARDS BROWNS FANS IN LIGHT OF THE REACTIONS TO THIS SITUATION ARE THE DEFENITION OF HIPOCRICY! You were SO upset (and rightfully so) when you’re team was yanked away from you but somehow, in your mind, you justify telling us to “just let it go” when it’s our old team; you know, the one that was ripped away from us; that you now love so much.

2 – Modell DID NOT, by choice, leave the Browns name, colors, or history behind. He was unwillingly forced to. He wanted the team to be the baltimore browns. I didn’t capitialize that because it’s NOT proper.

3 – There may have been some issues between Art and the City of Cleveland but the fact is that he made poor business decisions which led him to a crossroads, and a choice. The choice was to sell the team, or, move. He CHOSE TO MOVE THE TEAM out of Cleveland and destroy a history of one of the, if not the, most storied franchises the history of professional sports. That was a choice made out of greed. He could have sold the team to someone who would kept it in Cleveland, been a rich man and a hall of famer.

4 – When Steelers fans have our back that says something. By the way, gaining respect for Steeler’s fans after what I’ve been reading. Still hate the Steelers as a team, but you know, that’s how how a rivalry goes. IT WILL RETURN. Both cities want it to. We might hate each other’s teams as football fans but we are REAL football fans, not like you scumbags in Baltimore. We both hate you and I can’t wait untill the Browns and Steelers are 1 and 2 (in no particular order) year after year are you are in last, which is coming by the way.

Of course it’s not signed by anyone. This team is in transition of ownership. Is Learner gonna sign it? Is he even in town? Is Haslam supposed to attach his name when he doesn’t even own the team yet? What about Holmgren or Heckert who have had (I’m assuming) no personal interaction with the man? None of these make sense.

Cleveland offers their condolences to his family. Which I can guarantee is more than most Browns fans offer. I’ve never been more indifferent about a celebrity death in my life. I’m not saying I’m glad he’s gone, but I’m DEFINITELY not even a little bit saddened. It is what it is.

Isn’t this like saying, “A new World Trade Center would never have been built, if the old one hadn’t been taken down by planes”? Should we not hold any animocity towards Al Qeda because the terrorists that took down the buildings are all dead?

The current organization (aka, the “new” Browns) wouldn’t need to exist because if Modell hadn’t moved the Browns, there would be no talks of “old” Browns and “new” Browns…they would just be the Browns…the same Browns that had existed since their inception (not to mention there would be no gap between the ’95-’99 seasons).

As fans of pro sports you can’t hold the business side against owners,coaches or players, stuff happens for many reasons. You cant disregard what owners , coaches and players have done for the game during their careers with the league. Art did alot to help make the game we see today possible, and he should be thanked for that, he should be elected to the hall of fame for what he meant to the game. Yes, he broke Browns fans hearts, but he also brought footbal back to a city that was wronged by the NFL aswell. In the end two passionate fan bases have NFL football and that is good for the fans, because of Art.

Does that work better Mike? You want to bad-mouth an NFL team because it published condolences for the family of a former NFL owner. You obviously have lost your objectiveness as a reporter by letting your bias/hatred for the Cleveland Browns cloud any impartial thought you contrive.

The ownership is in transition and offered condolonces. What more should have taken place? Should they be flying the flags at half-mast in Cleveland Brown Stadium? Greater men die every day without mention. There are 31 other NFL franchises, how many have of those have done more than offer respectful condolences?

Your only hope is to get a rise out of a fan base that you despise by slinging mud where there is none. It’s sad that you are implying disrepect in a statement that offeres nothing but condolences to a family that is grieving. I find that disrepectful and you should be ashamed.

The condolences weren’t great, but they weren’t notably bad either. We need something else to complain about I’m afraid…

I love revisionist history, not even close to what happened junior.

Massive 10 story tall statues of both Modell and LeBron should be erected in downtown Cleveland to further torment these people.

If I had to choose, I’d choose the first group.

Man oh man Florio, what is this nonsense? Of course the current organization wouldn’t exist if Modell moved the team. Instead Cleveland would have gotten Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and a Super Bowl title.

This man stole the Browns from Cleveland. His own financial troubles and incompetent decision making was behind the move. Now you want Browns fans and the franchise to embrace him warmly and act like it never happened?

If the Browns said anything more they would be alienating their fans who pay to see this team play.

I didn’t know there was a proper etiquette or protocol for how to properly send condolences to an NFL owner who moved his team from your city to a city who also once lost a team. Who knew?

Oh wait they drafted a 29 y/o signal caller to run the team………………………………….