Modell … out!
The Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee made its choices on Saturday and the 2013 class includes three players who made it on their first try, a wide receiver who waited a number of years and one head coach.
And no Art Modell.
Elected this year were offensive linemen Larry Allen and Jonathan Ogden, wide receiver Cris Carter, defensive tackle Warren Sapp and head coach Bill Parcells.
And no Art Modell.
There were also two senior nominees elected, defensive tackle Curly Culp and linebacker Dave Robinson.
And no Art Modell.
Modell was one of the first finalists eliminated when the committee made its initial cut from 15 to 10 nominees. According to BaltimoreRavens.com, 16 people spoke about Modell during a 32-minute discussion.
“There was lively discussion and it was impassioned, and a lot of talk about the move from Cleveland,” said Clark Judge of CBSSports.com, a member of the selection committee. “I knew once it sort of focused on (the move), that it was going to be tough to get over. It was pretty clear from the discussion that this room was divided and there are too many ‘nays’ for this thing to get over the hump.”
Bob Glauber of Newsday, another voter, told NFL.com that he doesn’t think Modell will ever be a finalist again.
Modell not making the Hall of Fame is a good lesson that there are consequences to your actions.
***
For the second time in less than a week Liverpool could not hold onto a lead and left some important points on the pitch.
Four days after losing a 2-0 lead in a draw with Arsenal, the Reds couldn’t hold a 2-1 lead against Manchester City, as Sergio Aguero’s goal at the 78-minute mark helped City pull out a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
“Aguero’s finish is unbelievable but we are bitterly disappointed he was even in that situation,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told ESPN. “For large parts of the game we were in real domination. The only disappointment is that it typified our season where we have been outstanding in our game but mistakes have cost us.”
The draw means Liverpool still has not beaten a top-10 team this season and leaves the Reds in seventh place, nine points out of a Champions League spot.
It’s nice that they are able to be competitive with the top teams, but the time has come to finally get over the hump.
***
Good to see that Kyrie Irving was interested Saturday night, as the Cavs bounced back to beat Oklahoma City behind Irving’s 35 points.
“It’s amazing what happens when we play with energy,” coach Byron Scott said in published reports. “That’s what we’ve been looking for every single night — just play with that type of energy and you just never know what can happen.”