CBS Sports is reporting that former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando 'Zeus' Brown was found dead Friday at his Baltimore home.
Fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said that firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor. Cartwright said Brown was dead when firefighters arrived.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that firefighters called police, routine procedure in such cases. He said that there were no signs of trauma or suspicious activity.
The Ravens learned of Brown's death during practice. "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."
Brown played 10 NFL seasons, including four with the Cleveland Browns (1993-95 and 1999) and six with the Ravens (1996-98 and 2003-05). He started 119 of his 129 games.
Ravens Director of Player Development Harry Swayne, Brown's former teammate and fellow tackle, called Brown "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 is probably best remembered for shoving official Jeff Triplette after Triplette threw a weighted penalty flag that accidentally struck the massive tackle in the right eye.
Brown, whose father was blind from glaucoma, said concern for his eyesight caused him to confront Triplette. Brown was hospitalized for six days with bleeding behind the eye. He sued the NFL for $200 million, settling the lawsuit for $25 million.
He missed the next three seasons because of the injury, returning to football and the Ravens for the 2003 season. Brown retired from the league in 2005. Brown, who was divorced, is survived by three sons. He was 40 years old.
Read more at CBS Sports.
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