BALTIMORE (AP) — Former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando "Zeus" Brown was found dead Friday at his Baltimore home. He was 40.
The cause of death wasn't known.
Fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said 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 firefighters called police, routine procedure in such cases. He said 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."
Born Dec. 12, 1970 in Washington, D.C., 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 always will be remembered for shoving official Jeff Triplette in a 1999 game between Cleveland and Jacksonville.
Brown was suspended for knocking down Triplette after the official threw a weighted penalty flag that accidentally struck the massive tackle in the right eye. The 6-foot-7, 350-pounder stormed onto the field and pushed Triplette.
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.
Browns tackle Tony Pashos played three seasons in Baltimore with Brown, known as "Zeus" around the league.
"He was a really good teammate," Pashos said. "I came in under him as a backup. Even when Zeus wasn't on the team he came around and supported us. He loved us. He loved football. He could never walk away. Man, I can't believe it. I remember the attitude he brought to the building to the room. He tried hard. He told the young guys throughout practice to try hard and work on technique but then when it comes to games, it's about taking the other guy's will. And he was the apex of that. He did do that."
Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick said Brown will always be one of his favorites.
"He brought such passion and physicality to practices and games," Billick said in a statement released by the Ravens. "There is no way to quantify his heart, his actual love to play football. The game was so important to him."
Brown was a frequent visitor to the Ravens' practices, tutoring young linemen Jah Reid and Ramon Harewood.
"He took time out of his busy schedule over the last couple of months to work with me to help me grow as a player," Harewood said. "To have a player and man of his stature do that for a young player like myself says all you need to know about him."
Brown was divorced and is survived by three sons.
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