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Baltimore Says 'Thank You' To Art Modell For Ravens Legacy

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Baltimore fans remember Art Modell fondly and express their gratitude to him for bringing them the Ravens.

Mike Hellgren has more on their reaction.

He dropped out of high school to support his family and ended up a multimillionaire and an NFL pioneer and a part of the fabric of our city.

Art Modell, the man who gave birth to the Baltimore Ravens, will forever be remembered as a hero in Baltimore.

"He left a legacy. He left us the Ravens," Gregory Compton said.

Fans have honored Modell for his passion for the NFL, his innovation and the gift that keeps on giving-- his shrewd move of the team from Cleveland to Charm City.

"The Ravens are great, I'll give him that. But I'm a diehard Cleveland Browns fan. So, my team followed me up here," Jeff Ward said.

"A lot of times with Art, you just listened because you learned the history and heritage of the NFL," John Zieman of the Ravens marching band said.


Related Story: Former Ravens Owner Art Modell Dies At 87

On sports radio WJZ FM 105.7 The Fan:

"God bless him for bringing football back to Baltimore," former Ravens coach Brian Billick said.

Amid that familiar refrain, the familiar voice on Modell and that Super Bowl win.

"Just getting to the Super Bowl was so monumental, and was such a benchmark for him. And to see him on the sidelines in that absolute, genuine joy and to watch the players and those on the sidelines interacting with Art was a special moment I'll always remember," Billick said.

So will diehard fans giving him a big farewell 'Thank You' for their team.

"To have the man that made that possible pass away, I mean, wow, what a legacy he left us. It's a great gift," Ravens fan Rio Ratermanis said.

For more information about Saturday's public tribute to Art Modell, click here.

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