David Modell obit

David Modell, former Baltimore Ravens president, dies 

He was not on the list.

David Modell, the Ravens former team president, has died after a two-year battle with lung cancer. He was 55.

Modell, the son of former Ravens owner Art Modell, served as president of the Ravens from the time the team moved to Baltimore in 1996 to 2004, which included the team’s Super Bowl XXXV run in 2000.

David Modell’s fingerprints will remain all over the organization. He worked to selected the team colors and organized a fan vote to help come up with a new name after the team arrived from Cleveland. Modell also helped facilitate the team's move to M&T Bank Stadium in 1998 and assisted in the search to hire coach Brian Billick in 1999.

Team officials said David Modell helped lay the foundation for the success the team has had over the past 20 years.

"Our number one goal is to win," Modell said early in his tenure. "This oversimplification cannot be re-stated often enough. It shapes every decision and action this organization takes. I don’t want us just to be the best football team. We aspire to be the best business organization. We want to set the standard on and off the field.”

The Ravens said Modell worked hard to ensure the fans felt as included as possible. This was the case after the Ravens Super bowl win in 2001 as team officials estimate the Lombardi Trophy was touched by more than 100,000 hands of fans before being placed in a trophy case.

“We made sure that our fans knew that we understood that they are very much a part of our championship," Modell said in 2001. "Their support, their stadium and their investment in us are major factors to our winning. Sharing the trophy with them symbolized that union.

“We try and make everyone in the organization understand that what they do is important to our success. At the same time, anything that involves the fans, we try to include the fans in the decision. Before we built the stadium, we asked our season ticket holders what was important to them at the new facility. We asked, listened, and then made sure we gave them what they wanted.”

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick said he was impressed with Modell when he first interviewed for the job in Baltimore.

“David Modell was a good friend and valuable partner to me and my family," Billick said. "His ever-present and upbeat energy, along with his constant support, were at the very core of our success with the Ravens. He was the first to reach out to me and invite me to consider the Ravens, and he made it easy and inviting to come here. He will be sorely missed.”

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said Modell deserves much of the credit for the long-term success of the franchise.

“The children of accomplished leaders never receive as much credit for what they achieve when following in the footsteps," Bisciotti said. "Much of what the Ravens are today can be traced to David and what he directed and established. But, above all, he was a sweet, kind man who helped me when I was first involved. I smile remembering what we shared and what my friend David offered. He was fun, smart and giving. Renee and I send our love and prayers to Michel and all of his children.”

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has known Modell for 39 years, ever since Newsome was drafted by the Browns. He said he considered Modell family.

“This is so hard for me, and words almost escape from me at this sad time. I've known David since 1978 and, in many ways, we became like brothers," Newsome said. "We both grew up with the Browns and became Ravens together. We shared thoughts beyond the business of football. Life, family, children, politics, religion – we touched it all. You can trace much of the good of this franchise back to David. His passing shakes me. My deepest prayers go to Michel and the children.”

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Modell will be missed.

“From the moment Ingrid and I arrived in Baltimore, David reached out to us and was so welcoming, accepting and encouraging," Harbaugh said. "We became good friends, and I loved his enthusiasm, his spirit, his depth and his humor. His upbeat and positive way was always helpful. And, his superstitions helped, too. We had a secret handshake and hug every Thursday in our weight room during our Super Bowl season. His wife Michel has been so strong through all of this, and our prayers and thoughts are with her and the twins. May God bless them.”

Former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis called Modell an incredible man, father, brother and son.

"I was fortunate to speak to David (Thursday) and was able to let him know how much I love him and tell him he was one of the greatest men I have ever known," Modell said. "His father was like a father to me, and David was like a brother. He had a way of making everyone around him feel special, which was such a gift. I feel truly blessed to have known him, and I will miss my brother greatly.

"We know losing him will be hard for Michel and the kids, but they know we are all family, and they have many uncles, like me, to rely on. We can never replace David, but we will do everything we can to give them a helping hand whenever they need anything. Rest well, David, you are home.”

In recent years, Modell helped direct Modell Ventures and served as chairman of 3ality Digital, a company that produces and provides 3D entertainment solutions. David served as executive producer for the critically-acclaimed and award-winning “U2 3D” concert movie, which showcased U2’s performances through South America and Australia during the 2006 Vertigo Tour.

Modell also appeared weekly with syndicated radio host Armstrong Williams, while helping his wife Michel, an accomplished artist, raise their 2-year-old twins, daughter “Fee” (Aoife) and son “Bertie” (Bertram). From his first marriage, David is the father of daughters, Breslin and Collier, and sons, Arthur and David Jr.

Modell's mother Pat died in 2011. Art Modell died in 2012.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday. Interment is private. The family received friends and the entire Ravens nation at M&T Bank Stadium from 12 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Drive, Nottingham, MD 21236.