Former Ravens owner Art Modell has been hospitalized

Former Ravens owner Art Modell  has been hospitalized at Johns Hopkins Hospital  and remains there this morning, confirmed Kevin Byrne, the Ravens' senior vice president of public and community relations.

There is no word about his current condition though Modell, 87, has been of fading health.

Modell, who retains one percent ownership of the Ravens, bought the Cleveland Browns for $4 million in 1961 and moved them here three decades later, a decision that left him beloved in Baltimore but reviled in Cleveland.

Under Modell’s ownership, the Ravens won a Super Bowl in 2000. He sold a minority interest in the team to Steve Bisciotti in 2000 and the full sale was finalized to Bisciotti in 2004.   

Modell is an occasional visitor to the team’s facility, watching practices from a golf cart. He attended the team’s open practice at M&T Bank Stadium last month.

Modell’s wife of 42 years, Patricia, passed away last year. He has six grandchildren.