NFL PLAYERS STRIKE: DAY 3 : Modell: ‘I Feel Sorry for Everybody’

The Cleveland Browns began practice here Thursday at Baldwin-Wallace College with 50 players replacing the striking members of the National Football League team and owner Art Modell, a key figure in negotiating the league’s new three-year, $1.425-billion contract with television networks, held an informal news conference.

“I don’t take it personally,” Modell said of the NFL Players Assn. strike. “I did years ago.

“I feel sorry for the players. I feel sorry for inner-city blacks selling hot dogs in the stands. I feel sorry for everybody aligned with the game, the advertisers and networks.”