(Image source: Cleveland Plain Dealer )

BY NATHAN BYRNE AND ADAM SMITH

Art Modell will forever be remembered as both a hero and a villain. The highly influential former owner of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens died Thursday of natural causes at the age of 87.  ESPN’s Adam Schefter highlights the positive part of Modell’s legacy .

“‘Monday Night Football’ was Art Modell’s idea. … he launched the NFL into what it is today. … and Art Modell can be considered one of the founding fathers of the NFL.”

The other thing Modell’s best known for — moving the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996. The team was then renamed the Ravens.

According to Cleveland Jewish News columnist, Les Levine — Modell should be in the Hall of Fame based on his accomplishments. But he says even the NFL knew Modell did an “unforgiveable thing.”

“And his death should bring up a groundswell for his election posthumously. He either belonged in there before or he didn't.”

Modell’s abandonment still ranked higher than another famous exit that happened 14 years later. The New York Times says...

“When LeBron James quit the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010, polls showed that the lingering hostility to Mr. Modell was greater.”

Modell ended 43 years of active ownership when he sold his majority share in the Baltimore Ravens in 2004. Bloomberg Businessweek looks at the financial history leading up to that point .

Modell bought the Cleveland Browns in 1961 for a then record $3.9 million. He sold 49 percent of the Baltimore Ravens for $275 million in 2000.

Modell’s wife of 42 years, Patricia, died last October.