NBA referee Tony Brown died on Thursday at the age of 55.
“We are and have been sustained by the consistent outpouring of love and support through this journey in developing strength, acceptance and peace,” Brown’s family said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press. “We ask that you join us in that spirit as we prepare to celebrate Tony’s life. Our biggest thank you to our village of family and friends, near and far, old and new. Your love is immeasurable.”
Brown is survived by his wife Tina Taylor-Brown and their three children, Bailey, Basile, and Baylen.
The AP reports he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in April 2021, but managed to return to work for the league’s replay center last season. He entered hospice care in Atlanta days before his passing.
“I haven’t had time to sit around and be like ‘Why me?’ or ‘What am I going to do?’” Brown told the outlet this year. “Me not fighting would have made me feel like I was letting people down. What kind of example was I going to be to my kids if I just laid in this bed and let it overtake me? I had to show my kids that there’s nothing in life that you can’t challenge and overcome if you have a positive mindset.”
When LeBron James got wind of the news, he praised Tony on Twitter, writing, “Great ref but greater dude! Loved when I ran on the court for warmups and he would be on the game that night! Your smile & laugh will be missed tremendously here in our sport!”
Brown’s illustrious career includes officiating more than 1,100 NBA games spanning nearly two decades. He was selected to officiate two NBA All-Star Games, and worked in a 2020 NBA Finals game when the league transitioned to the bubble in Orlando.
“Tony Brown was one of the most accomplished referees in the NBA and an inspiration to his colleagues,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
