Orlando “Zeus” Brown, whom many have called the “original Raven”, and who was a stellar right tackle for many seasons, is dead at age 40…
Brown, who was 40, last played in the NFL in 2005. A police spokesman told The Baltimore Sun that there were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.
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Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMIOrlando Brown spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Browns and Ravens.
Nicknamed “Zeus,” Brown built a reputation for having a nasty demeanor on the field but has been described as a loyal teammate by former players.
“Our heartfelt condolences to the family of Orlando Brown, his three sons,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I think everybody knows what he meant to this organization. He’s still a big part of us. He’s been coming around a lot, working with some of our young players. We’re forever grateful just for what he did for the Ravens organization and what he did for the present team. We just can’t express our sorrow enough.”
Brown made national headlines as a member of the Browns in December 1999, when he was accidentally hit in the eye by a penalty marker thrown by an official. The eye injury forced him to sit out three seasons and led to a reported $25 million settlement with the NFL.
Brown was an undrafted rookie who began his career with the Browns in 1993 and moved to Baltimore with the team in 1996. He played the first three seasons of the Ravens’ existence before rejoining the Browns. Brown eventually ended his career by going back to play for the Ravens.
“He was the original Raven,” linebacker Ray Lewis said in a statement released by the team. “He set the tone for how we were going to play tough and physical, backing down from no opponent.”
Said safety Ed Reed: “This is a sad day. Zeus was a fire-starter. His energy — he would get us going at practices, in training camp and games. How he loved to play football.”
“He set the tone for how we were going to play tough and physical, backing down from no opponent,” Lewis said. “When you heard his voice on the field, you know things were going to be alright.”
Brown went back to Cleveland for the 1999 and 2000 seasons, but spent two years out of the league due to an injury suffered when a penalty marker hit him in the eye. He returned to football to play for the Ravens in 2003.
“There was no better friend, no one more loyal than ‘Zeus’ was to his teammates and those in the Ravens,” Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said. “If he felt that you respected him, that you were willing to teach him or showed him care, you had a loyal friend for eternity.”
Brown started 13 games in 2003 and 2004, then played in and started nine games in 2005 before ending his 11-year career.
Brown went into the restaurant business after retiring from football. He was the owner of the first Fatburger franchise in Maryland, located in Elkridge.
The Washington, D.C. native still was involved with the Ravens, however.
He stopped by the team’s training facility about once every couple weeks, Swayne estimated. This offseason, he voluntarily worked with tackles Ramon Harewood and Oniel Cousins, trying to instill his mauling demeanor in them.
“It’s tough when somebody you grew to love and respect passes away,” Harewood said. “I’m at a loss for words. He helped me tremendously and he did it all for free, giving up his time.”
Meanwhile the Ravens are in St. Louis to take on the desperate 0-2 Rams…
The Ravens have decided to sit wideout Lee Evans for Sunday’s matchup with the St. Louis Rams, leaving the job next to Anquan Boldin up for grabs among three rookies. Evans missed all three practices this week rehabilitating a left ankle injury, and with David Reed also out due to an injured shoulder, either rookies Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss, or LaQuan Williams will make their first-career start.
On Friday, Evans said he expected his status to be a game-time decision, but the Ravens marked him out on the final injury report.
“We’ll just have to see,” Evans told reporters in the locker room. “I’ve gotten as much rest on it as I possibly can, so we’ll just have to see how it reacts and let the coaches make the decision.” Evans, who has two catches for 45 yards on the season, is optimistic that extended rest will let his ankle heal.
“It’s all about rest and to see how it reacts,” said Evans. “We’ve been trying a lot of different things, and the only thing we haven’t tried is rest. We’re trying that right now, and then we’ll make a decision on Sunday.”
As expected, in addition to Evans and Reed, cornerback Jimmy Smith (ankle) will also be held out.
First-team left guard Ben Grubbs also missed all three practices leading up to the Rams game because of a sore toe. But Grubbs would not rule himself out for Sunday, and the Ravens listed the Auburn product as questionable. “It’s a day-to-day thing,” said Grubbs. “Every morning I wake up hoping it feels a little bit better. I guess because the joint is so small, it takes forever for the swelling to go down. I think that’s what’s causing most of my pain.”
“Today, I may not feel it, but tomorrow I may. And Sunday, I may feel like playing. It just depends on how I feel at the time.”
If Grubbs is not available, the Ravens would pick between guard/tackle Mark LeVoir and Andre Gurode – a five-time Pro Bowl center – to replace him. The Ravens started LeVoir last week in their 26-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans, while Gurode continued to work on the possible position transition.
“I feel pretty good about it. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m making that transition,” Gurode said. “As I’ve said before, what’s best for the team is what I’m ready to do.”
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh revealed that Grubbs underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Thursday that yielded positive news. “Everything looked good in there,” said Harbaugh. “So, we just wanted to, kind of, make sure everything was ok. You know, those toes are tough but… There’s a chance he’ll play.”
One week after leaving the field in Tennessee with a concussion, defensive tackle Terrence Cody figures to be back in the Ravens’ lineup. Cody missed Wednesday’s practice, but he was upgraded to limited on Thursday and Friday. Center Matt Birk (knee) and defensive end Cory Redding (toe) are the two other probable Ravens. Cornerback Chris Carr (hamstring) is still questionable…
For The Rams…
It’s unlikely that wideout Danny Amendola plays after dislocating his elbow in Week 1, but he is listed as doubtful, which means there is a 25-percent chance he suits up.
St. Louis marked running back Steven Jackson (quadriceps), defensive end CJ Ah You (wrist), linebacker Ben Leber (groin) and running back Carnell Williams (hamstring) as questionable.
Wideout Greg Salas (ribs) and tight end Michaeel Hoomanawanui (calf) are probable.
The spirit of Zeus will hang heavily over this game… especially upon the veterans of the Ravens who knew him and played with him…. I expect a large part of the Ravens’ motivation to come out of St. Louis with a “W” will rest upon the desire to give Orlando Brown a game ball in posthumous tribute to a Ravens alumnus who was taken out of this world far too quickly…
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