OWINGS MILLS -- Former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Orlando "Zeus" Brown has passed away from unknown causes.
The massive former NFL lineman was 40 years old. The cause of death wasn't immediately known, according to team officials who said Brown's family grew concerned when they hadn't heard from him in a few days.
"We send our condolences to the family of Orlando Brown," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "Everybody knew what he meant to this organization. We're forever grateful for what he did for the present team. We can't express enough sorrow for his loss."
The Ravens learned of Brown's death during practice.
"We just found out before the end of practice," said Harry Swayne, Brown's former teammate and fellow tackle. "We were close friends. It's tough, it's tough. I talked to him a month ago and told him, 'Zeus, you didn't have to block half the people you played against because they were scared of you.'
"He was a puppy dog, a big old puppy dog with a little bit of a bark. He had a lot of friends around the league. He was one of the best guys. It's a tough loss."
Brown played in the NFL for 11 seasons and retired after playing the 2005 season with the Ravens during his second stint with the team.
He is divorced and survived by three sons.
During a Dec. 19, 1999 game while playing for the Browns agains the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brown was accidentally struck in the eye with a weighted penalty flag by referee Jeff Triplette.
Triplette was shoved to the ground by Brown, who was ejected and suspended. The suspension was later lifted because Brown's eyesight was damaged and he was unable to play for three seasons.
Brown sued the NFL for $200 million, settling the lawsuit for $25 million.
Following his retirement, Brown entered the restaurant business and owned the first Fatburger franchise in Maryland.
He was a frequent visitor to the Ravens' practices, tutoring young linemen Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood.
"Zeus was just one of those characters," linebacker Jarret Johnson said. "Huge to this organization. He came over with this team from the Browns, so a lot of people in the facility know him. Just devastating news. Zeus was one of the guys who came around a lot. He'd just come hang out in the training room, come hang out back in the equipment room. Just can't say enough about the guy. Just such a terrible loss."
"Zeus was tough because when I was here, I was a young guy. I played with him my first three years, and Zeus was probably the most intimidating offensive lineman I've ever been around. Had a black visor and a throwback jersey hanging out under his pads, and he wanted to fight every play. Always talking trash. Zeus always brought out the best in you, and you knew when you went to practice, you'd better bring it, otherwise Zeus was going to get you. Hardest working guy. I know it's a cliché for people to say, but he was absolutely the first one on the field and would stick around after hitting the pads. Everybody remembers that, and that's not even close to being a cliché, it's the truth."
Two years ago, Brown was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary and destruction of property for an incident at his ex-wife's house. However, the case was dropped.
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