Art Modell Told Robert Kraft Hiring Bill Belichick Was ‘Biggest Mistake’ Of His Life

The late great Art Modell was the former owner of the Cleveland Browns before they relocated and became the Baltimore Ravens. Modell’s coach in Cleveland was Bill Belichick who wasn’t always the great coach that he is today. While Belichick was attempting to change an ugly Browns culture, the team moved to Baltimore before he was able to turn the Browns into a winner. Before being named the Patriots head coach in 2000, Modell told Patriots owner Robert Kraft that he was making a big mistake.

“He said if I did it, I’d be making the biggest mistake of my life,” Kraft said via MMQB.

4 Super Bowls later we all know that Belichick has carved out a resume that puts him in the conversation for the greatest coach ever. Of course, that always wasn’t the case after he was fired in 1995 after 4 mediocre seasons in Cleveland. Belichick still remains the last head coach to win a playoff game for the Browns back in 1994.

In fairness to Art Modell, he did win a Super Bowl in 2000 as an owner of the Baltimore Ravens. It’s also fun to imagine what if Modell never fired Belichick?