Orlando "Zeus" Brown, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle who played for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens in a career that lasted from 1994 through 2005, was recently found dead in his Baltimore condominium. The Ravens confirmed the news on Friday. The cause of death has not been announced.
"We send our condolences to the family of Orlando Brown," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said after Friday practice. "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."
"Zeus was just one of those characters," linebacker Jarret Johnson(notes) told the Carroll County Times. "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."
Bill Belichick, who drafted Brown as Cleveland's head coach in 1994 and coached him for two seasons, had this to say:
"I am extremely shocked and saddened to hear the news about Orlando Brown. Orlando improved as a player as much as anyone I have ever seen, as he went from being a defensive lineman at South Carolina State to becoming one of the game's top offensive tackles, when he sustained his unfortunate eye injury. Orlando was a true throwback player who loved football and was as tough as they come. Without question, Orlando was an integral part of the Browns turnaround during the mid '90s and he will be missed. I offer my deepest condolences to the Brown family."
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