Ray Lewis not fined for tribute

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The NFL stood down on its rigid uniform policy, not fining Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis for wearing eye-black patches Monday night honoring the team's former owner Art Modell, who had passed away four days earlier.

The irony is that Modell once gave the green light to former Ravens quarterback Chris Redman to wear black hightop cleats as a tribute to Johnny Unitas, even after the league threatened hefty fines for anyone who did so -- including Peyton Manning.

Redman said Saturday a $25,000 fine was eventually reduced to community service, he believes with a word of support from Modell.

The Ravens wore the eye-black patches during the team's 44-13 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Modell was among the most important figures in the NFL as owner of the Cleveland Browns, who became the Ravens after he took the team to Baltimore in 1996.

He died Sept. 6 at the age of 87.

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Chris Mortensen

NFL reporter

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• ESPN Senior NFL Analyst
• Joined ESPN in 1991
• Has covered every Super Bowl since 1979