Orlando Brown Jr., a former NFL draft prospect hailed as one of the best offensive tackles in college football, has had a turbulent journey since his time in the league. Despite his impressive physical stature and raw talent, Brown’s career stumbled, owing to a number of disastrous events in his personal life, including substance abuse and legal problems. Here’s a closer look at how Orlando Brown Jr. went from an NFL prospect to a troubled star.
The Early Years
Orlando Brown Jr. was born on May 2, 1996, in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Orlando “Zeus” Brown Sr., was a former NFL player who also held the position of an offensive tackle. Brown Jr. was a standout athlete in high school, where he starred on the football team as an offensive lineman. He was a two-time all-state honoree and the top-rated player in Maryland in the class of 2014. He committed to the University of Tennessee, where he was expected to continue his football career at a higher level.
College Career
Brown Jr. signed with the University of Tennessee in 2014 but opted to enroll at Oklahoma after just a few days at Tennessee. He was initially ineligible to play in his first year at Oklahoma due to transfer rules but was eventually cleared to play in the 2016 season. Brown Jr. was dominant in his two years at Oklahoma, where he started all 28 games, allowing just three sacks and earning All-American honors.
NFL Draft
Orlando Brown Jr.’s performance at Oklahoma caught the attention of NFL scouts across the country. He was lauded for his imposing physicality and tremendous strength that saw him complete 225-pound bench press for about 33 consecutive times. However, despite his impressive college career, Brown Jr.’s performance at the NFL Scouting Combine wasn’t as stellar. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.85 seconds, which was the slowest of any offensive lineman at the Combine.
Despite his slow showing at the Combine, Orlando Brown Jr. was still highly coveted by several NFL teams. The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 83rd pick. Brown signed a four-year contract worth $3.49 million, and it looked like the former Oklahoma player was on the brink of a long and lucrative NFL career.
Trouble in Paradise
Orlando Brown Jr. struggled to adjust to the NFL during his rookie season. He played in just one game and was relegated to a backup role after the team acquired veteran offensive lineman James Hurst. The following offseason, Brown Jr. gained weight and arrived at training camp with poor conditioning. He was also struggling with substance abuse issues and was suspended for the first four games of the 2019 NFL season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Brown Jr. bounced back after his suspension, and the Ravens coaching staff embraced him as a starting player in midseason. However, his on-field success was overshadowed by events off the field. Brown Jr. was involved in a car accident while driving a Lamborghini in Baltimore in September 2020. The NFL player was not injured, but the incident raised serious questions about his judgment.
In January 2021, Brown Jr. was arrested after an altercation with his girlfriend, Tori Hughes. He was charged with assaulting Hughes and has since been released on bail. His arrest caused the Kansas City Chiefs to rescind their offer to bring him into their squad. The offensive tackle has since made public apologies and claimed that he is making efforts to tackle his issues.
FAQs
What happened to Orlando Brown Jr.?
After starting his career as a highly-touted NFL prospect, Orlando Brown Jr. struggled with a number of personal demons, including substance abuse and legal problems.
Where did Orlando Brown Jr. play college football?
Brown Jr. played college football at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a standout offensive tackle.
What caused Orlando Brown Jr.’s decline?
Brown Jr.’s decline was caused by a combination of factors, including struggling with substance abuse, legal problems, and poor judgment.
Conclusion
Orlando Brown Jr.’s career has been plagued with troubles, both on and off the field. His impressive college career raised high hopes, but he failed to make a significant impact in his short time in the NFL. Despite his many setbacks, however, Orlando Brown Jr. is still young, and he has the opportunity to turn his career and his life around with the right support and guidance.
