Former Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell, along with Randy Gradishar, Art Rooney Jr., and Marty Schottenheimer are one step closer to being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The HoF's 12-person Seniors Committee narrowed a list of eligible nominees to 31 who will serve as semifinalists and move on to the next round of selection.
Modell brokered a deal with the NFL in 1995 to move the former Cleveland Browns to Baltimore and take on the Ravens moniker. He left the Browns' name and history in Cleveland, which was taken by a new Browns team in 1999.
Modell kept all contracts with Browns' personnel and retained the organization as the Baltimore Ravens, who are officially recognized as an expansion team in 1996.
The 31 semifinalists advancing are Ken Anderson, Ottis Anderson, Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Larry Brown, Mark Clayton, Charlie Conerly, Roger Craig, Henry Ellard, Randy Gradishar, Lester Hayes, Chris Hinton, Cecil Isbell, Joe Jacoby, Billy "White Shoes” Johnson, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, Albert Lewis, Jim Marshall, Clay Matthews Jr., Steve McMichael, Eddie Meador, Stanley Morgan, Tommy Nobis, Art Powell, Sterling Sharpe, Steve Tasker, Otis Taylor, Everson Walls and Al Wistert.
Additionally, the HoF's 12-person Coach/Contributor Committee reduced a list of nominated candidates to 29 semifinalists. They include K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr., Roone Arledge, C.O. Brocato, Tom Coughlin, Alex Gibbs, Ralph Hay, Mike Holmgren, Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Eddie Kotal, Robert Kraft, Elmer Layden, Jerry Markbreit, Virginia McCaskey, Rich McKay, John McVay, Art Modell, Buddy Parker, Carl Peterson, Dan Reeves, Art Rooney Jr., Marty Schottenheimer, Jerry Seeman, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, Clark Shaughnessy, Seymour Siwoff, Jim Tunney, Lloyd Wells and John Wooten.
Follow Timm Hamm on Twitter and Instagram
Listen to the Baltimore Ravens Daily Blitz Podcast
Follow Raven Country on Twitter
Ravens Alert! Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Baltimore Ravens?
More must-reads: