ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Andre Rison is a poor excuse for a villain these days. Twenty years have changed that, and much more.
In 1995, he was Cleveland Public Enemy No. 2 behind Art Modell, his relationship with a jilted fan base far more combative than the Browns were on Sundays after Art Modell announced Nov. 6 he was moving the team to Baltimore.
Now, there's gray in Rison's beard, a paunch pushing at his elastic waist band, the hint of a sermonizing pastor in his voice.
"God gave me a gift," he says.
He's come to football practice at Skyline High in gym shorts over gym shorts, and a green wool Ralph Lauren cap.