ART MODELL'S tenure as owner of the Ravens will end after the 2003 season, but he left the franchise's future in the hands of the architect who designed the Super Bowl champions two years ago, Ozzie Newsome, who was named general manager yesterday. It's a move that could have a significant impact on minority hiring in front offices throughout the NFL.
Newsome, 46, becomes the highest-ranking African-American in the NFL and the league's first black general manager. But the announcement had nothing to do with race. In six years with the Ravens, Newsome has become one of the league's most respected personnel men.
He turned the financially strapped Ravens into a Super Bowl champion in less than five seasons and made the Ravens a model for other teams when it comes to scouting and drafting. In the past two years, Newsome has had several job offers, but he has been secured in Baltimore for five more years after receiving a three-year extension yesterday.
It's a great move by the franchise.
No offense to Steve Bisciotti, who will replace Modell as majority owner at the end of next season, but Modell put the daily operations of the team in the hands of a well-respected football man, not just a wealthy businessman. Both Bisciotti and Modell agreed to the decision.
"This is very, very gratifying for me," said Modell, one of Newsome's closest friends. "I've seen him develop as a player, a man and now in the front office. Over the years, he has been a confidante and very loyal to the organization. He has the ability to judge players and people. He was the architect of our Super Bowl-winning team and now the architect of the team's future."
Bisciotti would have made the same move to Newsome. Privately, he and Ravens coach Brian Billick have been endorsing Newsome's promotion for months. Bisciotti's ego isn't large enough for him to assume he knows how to run an NFL team. Get used to him working in the background. He isn't as publicly engaging as Modell, but the two share a passion for winning.
Without Newsome's promotion, there would have been a major void after Modell's departure because Modell had the final say on all decisions. Bisciotti will have a major voice, as well, but Newsome won't have to make as many trips to the Modell Bat Phone in his office.
"Oh, I know this was done with Steve's blessing, as well," said Newsome, laughing.
Newsome, though, downplayed the announcement. That's the style that has made him successful. He isn't going to dazzle you with his oratory, and he isn't confrontational. He has that combination of good, old, country-boy know-how and inner-city street smarts.
You just imagine him chuckling quietly to himself for a few minutes behind close doors after he beats you on the field or in contract negotiations.
Then it's off to the next one.
"After I left the game, I was on the field as a coach [Cleveland assistant]," Newsome said. "I learned a tremendous amount from Bill Belichick as far as game preparation, how to study film, what to look for. Bill is a great football guy. But I didn't know if I wanted to stay in coaching or go into management.
"The key things I learned in my early years here were being consistent in dealing with players and associates. You also have to keep in mind that whatever you do, whatever decision you make, has to be in the best interest of your team. Art gave me a chance six years ago, and that says a lot about him. It was never about color; it was always about winning and performance."
Newsome's hiring will eventually open doors for other minorities. Don't expect changes overnight. It took a while for black quarterbacks, and black head coaches haven't become the norm, either. Ask Marvin Lewis and Art Shell. But there are several African-American candidates who are qualified to become GMs, such as the Ravens' James Harris, Arizona's Rod Graves, St. Louis' Lawrence McCutcheon, the Giants' Jerry Reese and Minnesota's Frank Gilliam.
Until Newsome was named yesterday, the highest-ranking African-Americans were Atlanta vice president Ray Anderson and Detroit senior vice president Kevin Warren. They were either involved in their club's salary cap issues or legal issues.
No one ran the whole show.
"I guess you could say yes, that it will open some doors because I am a minority, I've had some success and been a part of a Super Bowl-winning team," Newsome said. "Yes, it has to be helpful, but it's twofold because it will be helpful for ex-players, as well.
"I don't think I will be under the microscope more than usual. I've always looked at this job through the eyes of a player. You're always under the microscope. You just go out there and do the best that you can."
Modell said: "I think the day is going to come when you'll see more blacks in the front office. It's just like head coaches. There wasn't much of a pool, but there is now because the league has hired more black assistants. On Sunday, we had two black quarterbacks playing against each other on the field. A lot of things have changed about this during its evolution."
Modell should know. He has been a pioneer in the NFL, landing the league's first major TV contract that has become the standard for sports broadcasting. His former Cleveland Browns participated in the first Monday Night Football game, and those NFL doubleheaders you see are the brainchild of Modell. He probably has more minorities in his front office than any other team in sports.
Now, he has the league's first black general manager.
"No question, it was going to be Art," Newsome said. "You can use this as another one of those things Art has done to get into the Hall of Fame. In my opinion, he has already done enough to be in there. This is just something to add to the resume."