Weekend Plans With WNBA Sky's Michael Alter Ratner Confident In Isles Playing In Nassau Anticipation High For Griner's WNBA Debut ABC Looking For Indy 500 Ratings Uptick EA Used Tebow Name In NCAA Game Classified Advertisements Executive Transactions Mohegan Sun Not Getting NCAA Tourney Games Roc Nation Sports A "Legitimate Threat" Wild Raise Season-Ticket Prices
Upcoming Conferences and Events
SBD/Closing Bell
ESPN Deliberating Ways To Address Modell's Death On "MNF"
Published September 6, 2012
ESPN producers are trying to figure out the best way to address the death of former Ravens Owner Art Modell during the season's first "MNF" game, which will be played in Baltimore. ESPN "MNF" Senior Coordinating Producer Jay Rothman said the telecast will acknowledge Modell during the "Monday Night Countdown" pregame show and immediately after the show's opening. ESPN plans to sprinkle mentions of Modell's NFL legacy, including his role as the host of the first "MNF" game in Cleveland in '70, during the show.
"This is still raw for the Ravens," Rothman said. "I don't know what they will do in stadium. It's still in the early stages here in terms of what might be going on." Modell still is vilified in Cleveland for his role in moving the Browns to Baltimore. But Rothman said the telecast will not focus on that aspect of Modell's legacy Monday. "In these situations, you honor him and the significance he had on the game," Rothman said. "You can acknowledge the mixed emotions and feelings in Cleveland. But I think to go down that road is something we're not going to do."
Return to top
"This is still raw for the Ravens," Rothman said. "I don't know what they will do in stadium. It's still in the early stages here in terms of what might be going on." Modell still is vilified in Cleveland for his role in moving the Browns to Baltimore. But Rothman said the telecast will not focus on that aspect of Modell's legacy Monday. "In these situations, you honor him and the significance he had on the game," Rothman said. "You can acknowledge the mixed emotions and feelings in Cleveland. But I think to go down that road is something we're not going to do."
