Former Ravens owner Art Modell is among 38 finalists eligible for induction into the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
The list of Centennial Slate finalists was announced Thursday afternoon. In honor of the NFL's 100th season, the Hall of Fame will induct modern-era players along with 15 people from a group consisting of seniors (a player retired more than 25 seasons), contributors (someone not a player or coach), and coaches who have been retired at least five seasons.
Modell has been named a finalist in the contributors' category, which was determined by a special 25-person blue-ribbon panel put together by the Hall of Fame. Ravens Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome is on the panel.
Modell, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 87, was the Ravens' original owner and he also owned the Cleveland Browns for 35 years. He was the Ravens' owner when the team won its first Super Bowl (XXV) following the 2000 season.
Modell was also an influential negotiator involved with the league's television contracts for decades, helping the NFL grow immensely in popularity. He helped negotiate the first Monday Night Football contract in 1970 and worked with former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle to establish NFL Films.
The group of contributors and coaches eligible for induction in 2020 also includes former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher, former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins Head Coach Jimmy Johnson, former NFL Films president Steve Sabol, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and former players Cliff Branch, Roger Craig, and Drew Pearson.
