Orlando Brown (football player)
Encyclopedia
Orlando Claude Brown was an American football
player who played offensive tackle in the NFL. He attended H.D. Woodson Senior High School. He was released by the Baltimore Ravens
in March, 2006, and previously played for the Cleveland Browns
. He played college football
for Willie Jeffries
at South Carolina State University
.
and played offensive tackle.
as an undrafted free agent in 1993. Brown spent three seasons in Cleveland.
to become the Baltimore Ravens
. Orlando Brown, unlike some of the team, made the move. In his first stint with the team, Brown who, at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds, was known as an energetic and intimidating player, earned the nickname "Zeus." In his prime he was one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL.
. He was later infamous for an incident during a pro football game at home in Cleveland on December 19, 1999 against the Jacksonville Jaguars
in which he was accidentally hit in the eye by a penalty marker weighted with ball bearings thrown by referee Jeff Triplette
. Triplette immediately apologized to Brown, who was then tended to by the medical staff. A few minutes later, when play was about to resume, Brown was being taken to the locker room when he pushed passed the trainers, ran out on the field and shoved Triplette, knocking him to the ground. Brown was ejected from the game and subsequently suspended by the NFL, although the suspension was lifted when his injury did not heal. Brown was one of only two players to have played for the Cleveland Browns
before they became the Baltimore Ravens
and return to the Browns after the expansion team formed in 1999; the other player is Antonio Langham
.
. Brown was forced to sit out three seasons because of the eye injury. The next year he sued the NFL for the damages. The two parties settled for a reported amount of $25 million.
.
During the 2003 season while playing for the Ravens, Brown started at both offensive and defensive tackle in a game against the Oakland Raiders
. He remained with the team until shortly before the 2006 NFL season
, when he was released.
franchise in Maryland
.
In September, 2009, Brown was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and destruction of property. The charges were later dropped.
, an ailment common among diabetics and caused by high blood sugar and lack of insulin. He is survived by three sons: Orlando, Jr., Justin and Braxton.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player who played offensive tackle in the NFL. He attended H.D. Woodson Senior High School. He was released by the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
in March, 2006, and previously played for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for Willie Jeffries
Willie Jeffries
Willie Jeffries, was a college football coach. In his 29-year career, Jeffries compiled a 179-132-6 record. He coached 19 years at his alma mater South Carolina State University in two stints, five years at Wichita State University, and five years at Howard University...
at South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University is a historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- Colleges, departments,...
.
Early Years
Orlando Brown was born in 1970 in Washington DC. Brown attended H.D. Woodson Senior High School. He went to South Carolina State UniversitySouth Carolina State University
South Carolina State University is a historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- Colleges, departments,...
and played offensive tackle.
First stint with Browns
Orlando Brown signed with the Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent in 1993. Brown spent three seasons in Cleveland.
First stint with Ravens
In 1996, the Browns moved to BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
to become the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. Orlando Brown, unlike some of the team, made the move. In his first stint with the team, Brown who, at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds, was known as an energetic and intimidating player, earned the nickname "Zeus." In his prime he was one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL.
Second stint with Browns
Orlando Brown was signed as an unrestricted free agent by the "reactivated" Cleveland BrownsCleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was later infamous for an incident during a pro football game at home in Cleveland on December 19, 1999 against the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in which he was accidentally hit in the eye by a penalty marker weighted with ball bearings thrown by referee Jeff Triplette
Jeff Triplette
Jeff Triplette is an official in the National Football League since the 1996 season. He wears uniform number 42. His 2011 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Jeff Rice, head linesman Phil McKinnely, line judge Jeff Bergman, field judge Barry Anderson, side judge Dave Wyant and back judge Steve...
. Triplette immediately apologized to Brown, who was then tended to by the medical staff. A few minutes later, when play was about to resume, Brown was being taken to the locker room when he pushed passed the trainers, ran out on the field and shoved Triplette, knocking him to the ground. Brown was ejected from the game and subsequently suspended by the NFL, although the suspension was lifted when his injury did not heal. Brown was one of only two players to have played for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
before they became the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
and return to the Browns after the expansion team formed in 1999; the other player is Antonio Langham
Antonio Langham
Collie Antonio Langham , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 187 lb cornerback from the University of Alabama, Langham played in seven NFL seasons from 1994-2000...
.
Out of football, injuries, and lawsuits
Orlando Brown was cut from the Browns after the 2000 NFL season2000 NFL season
The 2000 NFL season was the 81st regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXXV when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants.Week 1 of the season reverted to Labor Day weekend in 2000...
. Brown was forced to sit out three seasons because of the eye injury. The next year he sued the NFL for the damages. The two parties settled for a reported amount of $25 million.
Second stint with Ravens
After Brown was healthy enough to play again, he was picked back up by the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
.
During the 2003 season while playing for the Ravens, Brown started at both offensive and defensive tackle in a game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He remained with the team until shortly before the 2006 NFL season
2006 NFL season
The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League.Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006...
, when he was released.
After Football
After retiring from football, Brown went into the restaurant business, and became the owner of the first FatburgerFatburger
Fatburger is a fast casual restaurant chain. It uses the slogan The Last Great Hamburger Stand. While it is a fast food restaurant, the food is cooked and made to order and the restaurant has a liquor license...
franchise in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
In September, 2009, Brown was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and destruction of property. The charges were later dropped.
Death
Brown was found dead on September 23, 2011 in his Baltimore condominium. The state medical examiner ruled that Brown died of diabetic ketoacidosisDiabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening complication in patients with diabetes mellitus. It happens predominantly in those with type 1 diabetes, but it can occur in those with type 2 diabetes under certain circumstances...
, an ailment common among diabetics and caused by high blood sugar and lack of insulin. He is survived by three sons: Orlando, Jr., Justin and Braxton.