How did Tony Brown die? NBA referee cause of death Explained

NBA Finals referee Tony Brown passed away at age of 55. Tony Brown died on Thursday, October 20, 2022, after being given the diagnosis with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in April 2021. Let’s see Tony Brown cause of death and what happened to him in detail.

How did Tony Brown die?

Tony Brown cause of death

Tony Brown was detected with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in April 2021 and overcame sufficiently to work in the NBA replay unit last season. According to his family, he recently started receiving hospice care in Atlanta. Tony Brown cause of death was cancer.

Unfortunately, Brown passed away at the hospital due to cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer after enduring stomach pains that he initially blamed for terrible sushi. However, with the support of his medical team, Brown was able to recover after more than twelve rounds of intensive chemotherapy.

“I haven’t had time to sit around and be like ‘Why me?’ or ‘What am I going to do?’” Brown said in an interview this year. He also added, “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.”

The Brown was survived by his wife Tina Taylor-Brown and their children Bailey, Basile, and Baylen. His family released a statement. “We are and have been sustained by the consistent outpouring of love and support through this journey in developing strength, acceptance, and peace,” the statement read. “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 was chosen as referee for NBA All-Star games, one game in the 2020 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the other in Miami Heat. Before joining the NBA in 2003, he also officiated WNBA All-Star games and championship rounds in the CBA and WNBA. He is a native of Tallahassee, Florida. Unfortunately, Tony Brown died of cancer.

Who was Tony Brown?

Brown, a brilliant high school basketball player, got a scholarship to Florida A&M before electing to transfer to Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University. There were no scholarships available for him, so Brown supported himself by working for Delta Air Lines while attending school.

Before becoming a flight attendant, he drove passenger carts, cleaned airplanes, and worked for Delta until his retirement in 2007. He was chosen to work the 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta after working the 2018 All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

Tom Washington and Courtney Kirkland, other Atlantans who, like Brown, graduated from historically Black colleges and universities, served as his fellow referees for that 2021 game. The NBA had promised to use that game to highlight HBCUs and raise more than $3 million for scholarship grants.

Before that game, Brown told the AP, “The most important element about this entire game, for us, is that we are representing the NBA officials and we have to perform fantastic work for them.” “Every night that we go on that floor we are representing each other. And that’s the greatest accolade and accomplishment that we can ever have, doing our job.” Even in his final days, Brown’s attention was not on himself.

In the days leading up to his passing, his family and friends worked tirelessly to raise money for a scholarship for Clark Atlanta players. Some Clark Atlanta players visited Brown earlier this month while he was receiving hospice care and gave him a jersey as a token of appreciation.

One of the main organizers of the scholarship, attorney Mawuli Davis, said the family is still trying to reach the $100,000 target and intends to give Clark Atlanta a check for that sum at the start of its men’s basketball season in November.

Brown, according to Clark Atlanta coach Alfred Jordan, “embodies all it means to be a Clark Atlanta basketball player.” “His hard work, determination, and perseverance are what set him apart from the rest because those qualities are hard to come by these days.”

Brown’s family officially acknowledged The Lustgarten Foundation, PanCan, a pancreatic cancer group, as well as the NBA and the National Basketball Referees Association for their support, in addition to expressing gratitude for his caretakers. “Keep striving for the cures,” his family said.

Tributes to Tony Brown

NBRA Officials posted,

Our brother Tony Brown passed today after his fearless fight against pancreatic cancer. Tony was a son, father, and friend who will be missed every day and remembered in every moment. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to his Endowment at CAU: http://bit.ly/3M34Lpj #6STRONG

Chris Haynes tweeted,

NBA veteran official Tony Brown passed away today following a hard-fought bout with cancer. He was one of the best running the sidelines and one cool brother. Rest In Peace.”

The Sky Box posted,

Earvin Magic Johnson tweeted,

Rest in peace to veteran NBA referee Tony Brown! Thank you for everything you did for the game. Sending prayers to the entire Brown family!

exhoopsprguy tweeted,

Over the past hour, I’ve learned of the passing of #NBA referee Tony Brown, who valiantly battle cancer over the past few years. My prayers are with his family and friends in the basketball officiating community. I’m happy I visited him last week. We will miss, TB.

MarkJonesESPN tweeted,

Tony Brown has gone home to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer Sending up prayers and soliciting yours for God’s comfort & peace for Tony’s family. Going to miss his warm smile Rest In Peace brother.