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Thousands Of Ravens Fans Pay Tribute To Art Modell At M&T Bank Stadium

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Baltimore pays it's respects to local hero, Art Modell. A memorial in honor of the former Ravens owner is held at M&T Bank Stadium.

Monique Griego has reaction from family and fans.

The impact Art Modell had on this community was clear as thousands showed up to pay their respects.

It only seemed right that a memorial in honor of Art Modell-- the man who brought Ravens football to Baltimore-- would be held on the team's 50-yard line.

"A lot of times, I look back at his life and what he brought back to Baltimore," Charles Moultrie, a Ravens fan, said.

At the age of 87, Art Modell died Thursday of natural causes.

Saturday morning, fans lined up at M&T Bank Stadium for a chance to pay their respects to this local hero.

"Everything he's done not only for the city, but for fans and for the game," one Ravens fan said.

"I was overcome with emotion when I met the family," said another.

The former Ravens owner left a lasting impact on the community. This week, his sons spoke about the outpouring of support.

"We know that Poppy had this incredible love affair with Baltimore and that Baltimore had this incredible love affair with my father," Art Modell's son David Modell, the former Ravens president, said.

The fact that several thousand fans came to say goodbye meant a lot to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

"That is just so tremendous. To the Baltimore fans: Thank you very much," he said.

Many who came were pleased to see that sitting next to the casket was the Lombardi trophy given to Art Modell after the Ravens' Super Bowl victory in 2001.

"When I seen that Lombardi trophy, I said it's time for another Super Bowl," said a fan.

While Art Modell will forever be linked with football, his generosity and huge charitable contributions are also a major part of his legacy.

Art Modell's funeral will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.

All NFL teams playing on Sunday will hold a moment of silence for Art Modell except for the Cleveland Browns per request from the Modell family.

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