Longtime NBA referee Tony Brown has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 55. Chris Haynes from Yahoo Sports! reported on Thursday.
Brown served as an NBA umpire for 20 seasons and became one of the most recognizable faces on the court. During his career, he played 1,110 regular season games and 35 playoff games, as well as the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
“Tony Brown was one of the most accomplished umpires in the NBA and an inspiration to his peers,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a press release. “Following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer earlier last year, Tony bravely fought through countless rounds of treatment to return to work last season at the NBA Replay Center and demonstrated the dedication, determination and passion that has made him such a highly respected official for 20 years have made. The entire NBA family mourns the passing of Tony and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Tina; her children Bailey, Basile and Baylen; and his fellow referees.”
The referee was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in early 2021. He took eight months off from work on the pitch but returned late November 21.
Brown previously served four seasons in the NBA G League and CBA and three seasons in the WNBA. During those years, he worked on the 2002 WNBA Finals, the 2002 WNBA All-Star Game, and the 2001 CBA Finals.
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