Al Lerner: Genuine good guy dies  By Mark Riley

Billionaire philanthropist and Browns owner Alfred Lerner passed away last night at 8:30 from complications associated with Brain Cancer. He had entered the hospital earlier in the week. Lerner was 69.

Lerner, a native New Yorker, was the chairman of MBNA bank, the countries largest distributor of credit cards, a former Marine, and one of the largest contributors to the Cleveland Clinic (having donated $100 million to the facility in June 2002). He preferred to stay out of the limelight, but became very visible to the local and national public, when he purchased the Browns in 1998 for a then record, $535 million. He was always present at player signings and often spoke to the team about toughness, resiliency, and family.

Players, such as Shaun O'Hara, spoke in reverent and hushed tones of Lerner, characterizing him as a players owner, always interested in them personally, as well as in their skill on the field. His admiration for the players, the team and city drove him to bring to Cleveland a Super Bowl Championship, and he willingly opened his wallet to assure that that would happen.

Lerner was the chairman of the NFL Finance committee, perhaps the most powerful group associated with the National Football League. Widely regarded as a shrewd businessman, he was highly regarded by other NFL Team owners as a dependable leader and visionary. He was also on the Advisory Board to President George W. Bush.

It is unclear just yet as to what tribute may be given by the community or team, but it seems ironic that the teams next game is in New York against the Jets, followed by a home game, appropriately enough, against the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. How bad would it be to rename Cleveland Browns Stadium "Lerner Field"? It seems an appropriate measure considering all this great man has done for the Cleveland area and the Browns. He will be sorely missed.