Former Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell died Thursday , the team reported on its website . Modell , 87 , was an NFL owner for 43 years , during which his teams won two championships . He died peacefully of natural causes at Baltimore 's Johns Hopkins Hospital , the team said . `` 'Poppy ' was a special man who was loved by his sons , his daughter-in-law Michel , and his six grandchildren , '' Modell 's son , David Modell , said in a statement released by the team . `` Moreover , he was adored by the entire Baltimore community for his kindness and generosity . And , he loved Baltimore . He made an important and indelible contribution to the lives of his children , grandchildren and his entire community . We will miss him . '' Modell made a large mark on the league as chairman of its television committee , which helped shape lucrative rights fees for game broadcasts . He led owners ' negotiations on the first collective bargaining agreement with players in 1968 , according to his team biography . He was also league president from 1967 to 1969 . Modell purchased the Cleveland Browns in 1961 for $ 4 million . The Browns won the National Football League championship in 1964 , two years before the NFL and the rival American Football League agreed to merge . In 1996 , he moved the team to Baltimore , where , playing as the Ravens , the team won the 2001 Super Bowl . He stepped aside as owner in 2003 . Maryland Gov . Martin O'Malley hailed Modell for his contributions to Baltimore and the state . `` He helped reinvigorate Baltimoreans ' sense of pride in their team and their city , '' he said in a statement . Modell is survived by two sons and six grandchildren . His wife , Pat Modell , died last year . People we 've lost in 2012 : The lives they lived .
Art Modell was an NFL owner for 43 years . He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He died Thursday at Johns Hopkins Hospital at 87 . Modell helped `` reinvigorate Baltimoreans ' sense of pride , '' Maryland governor says .