Orlando Brown Dead: Former Baltimore Ravens Lineman Dies Suddenly at Age 40

An NFL-loving nation is called to mourn the loss of another one of their affable giants.

Orlando Brown, a former offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns was found dead on Friday morning. 

The Carroll County Times reports the cause of death is not immediately known. The family of the 40-year old former NFL lineman had grown worried when they had not heard from him in the past few days. 

The Ravens were made aware of the death at practice, putting a halt on their preparations for this Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams. 

Harry Swayne, a former teammate of Brown, had some thoughts he shared with Carroll County reporters. 

"

"We just found out before the end of practice. We were close friends. It's tough, it's tough. I talked to him a month ago and told him, 'Zeus, you didn't have to block half the people you played against because they were scared of you.'

He was a puppy dog, 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."

"

The puppy dog was not without his controversial moments. In December of 1999, Brown was famously struck in the eye by referee, Jeff Triplette's beanbag. 

The injury saw him out of the game for three years. He would later return to the Baltimore Ravens and finish out his career in 2006. 

We send our thoughts and condolences to the Brown family.