Browns fan who urinated on Art Modell’s grave to face charges

A Cleveland Browns fan who allegedly filmed himself urinating on the grave of former Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell could face up to two years in prison, authorities said Tuesday.

The viral YouTube video, posted by user “BrownsFan4Life” on July 18, shows a man wearing an Ed Reed jersey standing before Modell’s grave at the Druid Ridge Cemetery in Baltimore. In the video, the man then rips off the Ravens jersey to reveal a Browns jersey before urinating on the gravesite.

The fan, who makes little to no attempt to hide his face, said he had “no choice” because Modell “tried to kill” the Browns when he moved the original team to Baltimore 18 years ago.

The video was removed by YouTube but remains on several other websites, including Deadspin.

On Tuesday, Baltimore State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger released a statement authorizing disorderly conduct charges against the man, whose identity was not released. Charges have not been filed yet.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of up to $500.

“Everyone who has buried a loved one has the right to believe that their final resting place will be treated with respect,” Shellenberger said in the statement. “Bringing charges against this individual should act as a deterrent to others and assure the rest of us that no matter who you are, indecencies will not be committed against your final resting place.”

Shellenberger’s office declined further comment.

Modell died in 2012, and has long been considered a villain among Cleveland sports fans because of his controversial decision to relocate the team in 1996.

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