Modell disturbed by latest criticismVoinovich calls former Browns owner a `liar'By Marla RidenourBeacon Journal sportswriterU.S. Sen. George Voinovich's scathing comments regarding Art Modell and his move of the Browns to Baltimore stung the former owner Friday morning.Modell opened up to WTAM's Mike Trivisonno Thursday in a radio interview that was two years in the making. Voinovich, R-Ohio, listened to the broadcast and called the show immediately after to refute Modell's charge that an official at the highest level of state government told him to take the team elsewhere.In relating the story from more than 10 years ago, Modell didn't identify then-governor Voinovich, but slipped and referred to his wife, Janet. Modell claimed Voinovich said: ``I'm sitting here having breakfast with Janet. I know the people you're dealing with. You're not going to get a nickel from them.''Reached at home Friday, Modell remembered telling the ``breakfast with Janet'' story and said, ``God is my judge, that's what happened that morning.''A WEWS-TV excerpt aired Thursday night at 11 quoted Voinovich as saying: ``Modell was a liar then; he's a liar now. That's why he hasn't come back here. A lot of people who were his friends felt he wasn't honest with them.''Modell sounded hurt by Voinovich's words.``He used the word liar?'' Modell said.``Nothing ever changes. Can't they tell the damn truth?''A Voinovich aide said the senator had no further comment about Modell on Friday.Some questioned the motives of Modell, 79, in going into ``areas I never did before'' with Trivisonno.Modell was a finalist for selection into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and has made the final 25 each year since. The final 15 candidates for this year's class were announced last week.Modell is more than 20 years away from receiving help from the hall's veterans committee, which likely can't consider Modell until 25 years after he retired from ownership of the Ravens. That occurred after the 2003 season.Ravens senior vice president of public relations Kevin Byrne said Modell received a tape of a Trivisonno show two years ago in which the broadcaster chastised politicians for escaping the blame in the team's move. Modell called Trivisonno to thank him and agreed to an interview at a later date.``He's been loyal to the Modells,'' Modell said of Trivisonno. ``I haven't had many friends the last 10 years. I could count my friends in Cleveland on one hand with my fist closed.''From HERE
