NFL Lifts Brown's Suspension

Orlando Brown won't have to sit out any more games for shoving a referee.

The Cleveland Browns announced Tuesday that the NFL decided that their right tackle had been punished enough for forcefully pushing Jeff Triplette to the ground in a game against Jacksonville last Dec. 19. As result, Brown's suspension is being lifted effective Wednesday.

That means Brown served a two-week suspension and loss of salary of more than $49,000.

Brown was suspended on Dec. 22 for knocking Triplette down after the official threw a penalty flag that accidentally struck Brown in the right eye.

Brown, whose father is blind from glaucoma, said concern for his eyesight caused him to storm back to the field and shove Triplette. Brown was hospitalized for six days with bleeding behind the eye.

After his suspension, he got to plead his case over the phone to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The 6-foot-7, 350-pound Brown sat out the final two weeks of the season the Browns were off in Week 17 costing him the $49,000. If he had been suspended for part of the 2000 season Brown could have lost $125,000 per game, based on his $2.1 million salary for the upcoming season.

The Browns said the league is still considering Brown's appeal for lost income resulting from the suspension. The player's agent, Tom Condon, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Brown says he still has blurred vision.

"I am relieved the commissioner has terminated my indefinite suspension," Brown said in a statement released by the Browns. "I look forward to regaining my vision and again participating in club related activities."

The Browns were initially disappointed by Brown's conduct, but later softened their stance when it was learned he was injured.

Team president Carmen Policy said the team was glad to finally have the matter resolved.

"Although we were willing to accept any decision handed down by the commissioner, we certainly look forward to Orlando Brown approaching the 2000 season and his physical rehabilitation without having to be concerned about any further ramifications ..." Policy said. "We believe the league office handled this matter in a very professional and thorough manner."

Added coach Chris Palmer:

"I am pleased this matter is now behind us. We all hope Orlando's eye recovers, and we look forward to him being able to begin preparations for the 2000 season."

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