Ex-tackle Orlando Brown found dead at home at 40

Orlando “Zeus” Brown, the 360-pound tackle who in 1999 was accidentally hit in the eye with a penalty flag and missed three seasons because of the damage it caused, was found dead at his Baltimore home. He was 40.

Firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor, fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said. He said Brown was dead when firefighters arrived. The cause of death wasn’t known.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said firefighters called police, routine procedure in such cases. He said there were no signs of trauma or suspicious activity.

Brown, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle, played 10 NFL seasons – four with the Cleveland Browns (1993-95 and 1999) and six with the Baltimore Ravens (1996-98 and 2003-05). He started 119 of his 129 games.

Brown will be remembered for the game between Cleveland and Jacksonville a dozen years ago when the massive tackle was struck in the right eye by a weighted penalty flag thrown by official Jeff Triplette.

Brown stormed on the field and pushed Triplette, drawing a suspension.

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. The Ravens learned of Brown’s death during practice.

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 was one of the best guys. It’s a tough loss.”

Around the league

Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick practiced for a second consecutive day Friday and pronounced himself ready to play against the Giants (1-1) in the Eagles’ home opener Sunday, seven days after he left a game against the Falcons with a concussion. … Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan is likely to start against Tampa Bay after fully participating in practice for the first time this week. … San Diego defensive lineman Antonio Garay, Philadelphia tackle Cullen Jenkins and New England defensive end Andre Carter were each fined $15,000 for hits on quarterbacks: Garay’s hit being below the knees, Jenkins’ head-to-head and Carter’s helmet-to-chest.