Don’t Call Him Zeus

Eleven years in the NFL earned him a reputation for being a rugged, rowdy, staunch, trash-talking, flat-out nasty offensive lineman. A man labeled the dirtiest player in the league by Sports Illustrated. A man you would follow into the trenches, but would avoid in a dark alley. A man who evoked fear in opponents and amongst most mortal men, earning him the nickname, Zeus. But after nearly 2 years away from the game, the 360-lb mountain of a man is now simply known as Orlando. Or ‘Coach’ by his little league football team.

“They just call me Coach Brown.” Said Orlando Brown of his mostly 5th grade football squad, which includes his 11 year-old son. Orlando did not plan on coaching when he was released by the Ravens in the spring of 2006, and was not going to force his kids on to the field either. But when his youngest son called to beg his father to allow him to play, Zeus knew it was time to hang up his helmet, pick up the whistle and return to life as Orlando.

His son, and the love of the game, brought Brown back to football, but during his first few months out of uniform; he questioned whether or not he would ever return. “It’s been hard,” said Brown. “You go through withdrawal. I played the game for the contact and aggression, to try and make another man bow down. You can’t do that in the regular world.”

Some of the most meaningful moments for the former Raven in the regular world have been the time spent teaching his 6’, 258-lb mini-Zeus the game he loves. “At that level, its like playing chess,” said Brown he as he described the lessons he has tried to teach the next generation of footballers. “You line them up; you go here, you block here. Then when they have a chance to make a play, the emotion comes back. I’ll yell, ‘Finish him! Like you do in the video game!’ ”

Orlando’s career appeared finished in 1999 when a penalty flag hit him in the right eye, causing a series of serious vision problems. He would spend four years out of the game and doubted whether he would ever play again. Remarkably, he would return to the NFL as a Baltimore Raven in 2003 and served admirably at right tackle for 3 more seasons. However, the time away from the field allowed Brown to contemplate his professional future as he began planning for life after football. “After my eye injury, I knew I needed something to fall back on.” Brown explained.

He would look to another athlete whose playing days were prematurely cut short, Magic Johnson, who has had success in the business world since retiring from the NBA after being diagnosed with HIV. One such investment that peaked Orlando’s interest was a restaurant chain whose name seemed apropos for the former lineman, Fatburger. The self-proclaimed ‘Last Great Hamburger Stand’ has attracted a number of high profile investors in addition to the Magic man, who has since left the franchise, including Kanye West, Montell Williams and Queen Latifah.

Brown’s plan includes the opening of 10 locations in the Baltimore/DC area over the next six years, with the first schedule to start serving in the spring of 2008. And don’t be surprised to see Orlando cooking up some Kingburgers behind the counter as he claims, “I can’t learn watching a chalkboard. I need to experience it.”

In addition to a possible stint behind the grill, Brown has also spent some time behind the mic as a panelist on RaveTV’s weekly roundtable, Purple Passion. The show features both Raven and Baltimore Colt alumni including Brown, Kyle Richardson, Qadry Ismail and Wally Williams, along with host Keith Mills. Brown enjoyed the experience and wouldn’t rule out a future in the booth, however, he might not be suited for the anchor desk. “I’d rather go in the locker room and interview,” said Brown of his broadcasting career. “I’d want to ask how’d it feel to get your butt kicked today.”

Brown probably wouldn’t get too much push back from his former teammates as he still keeps in touch with some of the veteran Ravens, including Ray Lewis. “I tell Ray, when you leave this game, man…” Brown remarked as he remembered how hard it was for him to finally call it a career. “He loves the game. He plays harder and harder each week. A guy like that – he loves the pain.”

Orlando once shared that passion for punishment and still feels an ache for the pain. “I do miss football [and] I do miss that pain.” Once he was able to move past the pain, from both opponents and from being away from the action, he was finally able to bring himself to the stadium to watch a game from the stands. “It took me a while,” said Brown, “I knew once I heard the crowd, I was going to want to play.” Fortunately, Brown made it through the game without rushing the field, although he was still itching to fight. However, this is the regular world, and as Brown said, “You got to be civilized. You got to be Orlando.”

This article was a part of a series highlighting Baltimore football alumni for BaltimoreRavens.com