OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- David Modell, the first president of the Baltimore Ravens and the son of former team owner Arthur Modell, died Friday. He was 55.
He had cancer for two years, the team said.
Modell and his father worked in tandem to make sure the team flourished following its relocation from Cleveland in 1995. The younger Modell's focus was not only to make the Ravens a winner, but to do it with class.
"I don't want us just to be the best football team," he said early in his days as team president. "We aspire to be the best business organization. We want to set the standard on and off the field."
Modell played a role in hiring coach Brian Billick, who led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory in 2000.
"I was very impressed with David's approach, and he led the Ravens and me to Brian," Art Modell said after the team beat the New York Giants to become NFL champions.
Modell's first NFL job with the Browns came when he was 14, assisting with game-day operations. He went on to work in the team's ticket office and public relations department before starting the marketing division, a first for an NFL team. He also served on the league's Stadium and Expansion Committees.
Like his father, Modell was involved in many local charities. He received the Ed Block Courage Award for Courage, Compassion, Commitment and Community in 2002.
David Modell's connection with the team ended soon after Art Modell sold the Ravens to Steve Bisciotti in 2004.
He is survived by his wife, Michel, and their 2-year-old twins, Aoife and Bertram. He had four children from his first marriage: daughters Breslin and Collier and sons Arthur and David Jr.
Copyright 2017 by The Associated Press
