Former NFL offensive tackle Orlando Brown has died at the age of 40. Brown played for both the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens in a nine-year career that was interrupted by injuries.
He was nicknamed “Zeus” and was a mountain, at 6-foot-7 and 360 pounds. Former Ravens teammate and linebacker Ray Lewis said of Brown, “He’s one of the greatest men I know – really a gentle giant away from the game.”
Brown was found dead at his apartment Friday morning, but further details are not available. His family became concerned that they had not heard from him in a few days, and he was found by rescue personnel at his home.
Head coach John Harbaugh said, “I think everybody knows what he meant to this organization, to this team, to the Ravens. He’s still a big part of us. … We’re forever grateful for what he did for the Ravens organization and what he did for the present team.”
Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson, who was a teammate of Brown for three years and faced him in practice on a daily basis, said, “‘Zeus’ was probably the most intimidating offensive lineman I have ever been around.”
“He wanted to fight every play and always just talking trash. ‘Zeus’ always brought out the best in you. You know that when you came to practice, you better bring it, or otherwise ‘Zeus’ was going to get you.”
He continued to stop by the team’s training facilities regularly although he retired in 2005. This offseason, he volunteered to work with tackles Ramon Harewood and Oniel Cousins.
“It’s tough when somebody you grew to love and respect passes away,” Harewood said. “I’m at a loss for words. He helped me tremendously and he did it all for free, giving up his time.”
Current Patriots coach Bill Belichick signed Brown as an undrafted rookie in Cleveland in 1993, and he released a statement saying, “Orlando improved as a player as much as anyone I have ever seen, as he went from being a defensive lineman at South Carolina State to becoming one of the game’s top offensive tackles.”
