During Wednesday's press conference, the discussion of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame came up. The question was directed toward Ozzie Newsome, asking if there was a "movement" to keep Art Modell out of Canton.

 

Newsome talked about the efforts of the Cleveland media to keep Mr. Modell out, yet he gets calls from former Cleveland players asking what can be done to get Mr. Modell into the Hall.

 

One of the things Ozzie brought up was the responsibility of the local media. He mentioned the fact that many of the Hall of Fame voters were present for the Ravens/Patriots play-off game. Newsome talked about us, the local media, doing our part by discussing this with those voters the need to get Art Modell into pro football's Hall of Fame.

 

While I'm one who feels Art Modell should be in Canton, I'm not really sure it's my job to campaign for that. I know some have used self-serving antics to fight the good fight for Mr. Modell, but is that really what I'm suppose to do, as a member of the media? I really don't know.

 

For instance, if I see John Clayton at a Ravens game, and I ask him whether or not Art Modell should be in the Hall and he says no and gives a well-thought out reason why, is it, then, my job to convince John Clayton why he needs to change his vote? I think not.

 

Now, if the only reason is because he moved his team from Cleveland to Baltimore, I would have a very good argument. I use Clayton because I have a very good idea where he stands on this topic, but that's the slippery slope.

 

What if the voters tell me it's none of my business? I'm not sure that I would want to openly discuss my votes in public. I think it goes back to what Ozzie Newsome originally said at the press conference. I think it's up to the men who actually played and worked for Art Modell to beat that drum. They know things about the man that the media does not know. While we all know his professional resume, they are able to give personal references. That, in my opinion, is where the resposibility lies.

 

If I had a vote, without question, Art Model would get it. I'm just not sure that I should be a campaign manager for getting him into the Hall of Fame.

 

Rob Long