Tribe Talk: Changes Coming in the Pen?
September 23, 2011While We’re Waiting…NBA Parity, TJ Ward Impresses, Beating Miami
September 24, 2011
Cleveland.com posted today by way of The Baltimore Sun that former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Orlando Brown has passed away. He was reportedly found unresponsive in his Baltimore apartment. Police don’t suspect foul play.
Brown probably wouldn’t have been a memorable Cleveland Browns player if not for an incident where he pushed Jeff Triplette after getting hit in the eye with a penalty marker that was weighted with some quantity of metal BBs. The story was interesting because Brown ended up being very injured by the penalty flag, but nobody knew it at the time.
The attack on the referee was first viewed far more scandalously than it ended up being viewed in hindsight after the extent of the injury was known. It was like a lesson in controversy and outrage as Brown found himself going from indescribable villain to a more sympathetic misunderstood guy who lost three seasons of his NFL career.
Brown eventually made it back to the field with the Baltimore Ravens after receiving a settlement with the NFL over his injury at the hands of Triplette’s penalty flag. Unfortunately, that’s where the story ends for 6’7″ giant Orlando Brown. At the young age of 40, he has passed away.
9 Comments
I was at that game, and at the time was unaware what had happened when big Orlando had stormed back onto the field. Seems like every time I make it to CBS something crazy happens (bottlegate, white out vs Bills).
RIP Big Guy
And boy was he a giant. 6’7″ and usually over 350 I think. Dude coulda been a king in Vince McMahon’s world. 🙂
RIP Big Man
According to the top of the page, 13 people like this. Why would you ever “like” a story like this?
Perhaps they “liked” it because they didn’t want to actually comment on it. Perhaps it’s their way of saying RIP Big Man. It’s a more reasonable approach than commenting about what jerks they are. Make it 14.
Dang. 40 is too young.
BTW… there is a special place in hell for Jeff Triplett. I always thought that it was TOTAL crap that the NFL didn’t fire that guy immediately after that game. They are supposed to throw the flag at the offending players feet – not his eyes. The dude was 6-7. His eyes were at least 7 feet from the area in front of his feet. How do you miss that bad? Man, I really hate that guy. I forgot just how much I hate him till just now.
RIP Zeus
RIP zeus. You rarely got the credit you deserved, and often got the undeserving blame. I can only hope his death was from “natural causes.”
I was at that game too, only Browns game Ive attended in the past 15 years. I was in the upper deck and like REEP I too had no idea what was going on. I thought maybe he had gotten poked in the eye by a defender and the ref missed it. I didnt even see him get hit by the flag.
Very sad story. Too many of these ex NFL players die young. Its sad to see.