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Modell incident should make fans cringe

The video of the Cleveland Browns fan urinating on Art Modell's grave is the most classless act in sports history.

Sadly, this is just one of many classless acts.

There's no argument it's a sorry commentary that a fan went to this length to do something utterly tasteless. What should make every fan cringe is that this isn't the first time something like this has happened.

Before anyone in Baltimore gets on a soap box, just google urination and Robert Irsay's grave. There is a photo of someone in a Todd Heap jersey relieving himself on the tombstone of the late Colts owner.

For that reason, no one should blame the entire Dawg Pound for the act of one fan. But every fan, whether you reside in Baltimore or Cleveland, should feel disgusted about this incident.

What kind of person would do something so disrespectful? Shouldn't someone have higher priorities in life? There is a line between being a fan and a fanatic. In the case of the unidentified Browns fan, he leaps over it.

The fan not only buys an Ed Reed jersey to camouflage himself but he also uses a catheter so -- I'm guessing here -- he could finish the job discreetly. Then, as if it was a source of pride, he put the video on YouTube.

It’s understandable if you still hate Modell, even though it's been 19 years since the relocation. It’s fine that you gnash your teeth every time you think of the two Super Bowl trophies that could be sitting in Cleveland.

But Modell was not a murderer. He was not a criminal. He moved a sports team.

I was 11 years old when Irsay uprooted the Colts and took their colors as well as their history to Indianapolis. I can honestly say there wasn't a moment over these 30 years when I thought of driving hundreds of miles to defile his grave site.

There was part of me that didn't want to write something more on this because you don't want to bring more publicity to this despicable act. But it's disturbing to see comments from readers who think this incident is funny and justified.

Stay classy, football fans.