Before 1966 season threatens to fine reigning league MVP, all-time great, and future Hall of Famer Jim Brown if he is late to training camp because the movie he is in, "The Dirty Dozen", is running over schedule. Brown retaliates by retiring at the age of 30 following his 2nd MVP season and a year removed from the city’s last professional championship in any sport.
Prior to 1995 season Modell takes out another bad bank loan ($5 Million) in order to sign 4 time Pro-Bowler and malcontent Andre Rison. Rison catches only 47 passes for 701 yards and 3 TD’s. Rison is released after the ‘95 season. He signs with the Packers late in the 1996 season and wins a Super Bowl ring that year.
After the 1988 season Modell fires coach Marty Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer had a 44-27 regular season record since taking over mid-way through the 1984 season. Schottenheimer leads the Browns to the play-offs in each of his four full seasons as coach.
In 1991 Modell hires New York Giants’ Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick. Belichick leads the Browns to one play-off appearance and has an overall record of 36-44 before being fired following the ‘95 season and before Modell’s move to Baltimore. Belichick has the making of a dynasty in New England today and has won three Super Bowls in his first five years there.
After the 1988 season Modell trades RB Ernest Byner to the Washington Redskins for Mike Oliphant. Byner goes on to help the Redskins win the Super Bowl in ‘91. He also goes to the Pro Bowl in 1990 an 1991. Oliphant ran for 97 yards and scored 1 TD in two years with Cleveland.
In 1993 Modell releases fan favorite Bernie Kosar citing Kosar’s "diminishing skills". Another P.R. disaster that is seen as another of Modell’s cost cutting ways. Kosar signs with Dallas for the remainder of the season. He wins a Super Bowl ring serving as Troy Aikman’s back-up.
Following the 1995 Modell moves the team to Baltimore. Despite the fact Cleveland averaged over 80,000 fans in an old, decrepit stadium in which he owned the lease and league wide profit sharing. Modell had driven the Browns to near bankruptcy with poor business decisions.
In the ultimate slap in the face Modell gets his Super Bowl ring in 2000. Adding insult to injury Baltimore shuts out Cleveland 12-0 in Cleveland and then runs up the score in Baltimore and beats a beat up, injury riddled Browns’ squad 44-7. Baltimore coach Brian Billick was offered the Browns’ coaching job in 1999 but decided to take the Baltimore job instead. Baltimore defeats the Giants 34-7 in the Super Bowl.
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