Brown, a 6 feet 7 inches, 360 lbs lineman nicknamed Zeus, was a stalwart for both the Ravens and Browns. He was one of the highest paid offensive linemen in the NFL and started 119 games in 129 career games.
Brown was sidelined by an accident on December 19, 1999, while playing for the Browns in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. When the referee Jeff Triplette threw his flag weighted with BBs, Brown hit in the right eye, lack of protection for your face helmet. Brown left the field, but furious, turned and shoved Triplette to the lawn.
The league suspended him indefinitely for assaulting Triplette, but lifted the suspension after it was found that the flag had temporarily blinded Brown. The Browns released him in 2000.
In 2001, Brown sued the league $ 200 million, saying the flag incident ended his career prematurely. Reportedly settled for an amount between $ 15 million and $ 25 million in 2002.
Brown came out of retirement in 2003 to play for the Ravens, and as a blocker who became an integral part of the 2.066-yard running back Jamal Lewis of the season running. Brown started 35 games before retiring in 2005.
Orlando Claude Brown was born in Washington on December 12, 1970. He attended Howard D. Woodson High School there before attending South Carolina State. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Browns in 1993.
He is survived by three sons, Orlando Jr., Justin Wallace and Braxton.
Brown opened a Fatburger restaurant franchise in Elkridge, Maryland, in 2009.
They maintained ties with the Ravens, more recently, mentoring second-year offensive tackle Ramon Harewood.
For months after his eye injury, Brown kept the flag of a referee in his locker, and saw up close when the referees said sanctions.
"They're still throwing there," he told The Associated Press in 2000. "I wish we only had fallen, that's all."
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