Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bob Brown dies at 81

Hall of Famer offensive lineman Bob Brown, dubbed “the most aggressive lineman of all time” by John Madden, died Friday night at the age of 81.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced his death on Saturday. Brown was inducted into the HOF in 2004.

“On the field, he was a more tenacious opponent than any other defensive lineman or linebacker,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in a statement Saturday. “He used every tactic and technique – and sometimes brute force – to crush the will of the person on the other side of his line. And he was very proud to do so.”

The Pro Football Hall of Fame is saddened to report the news that Bob Brown, born in 2004, has passed away at the age of 81. #HOFFforever

More info: pic.twitter.com/ydxelA13rT

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) June 17, 2023

Brown suffered a stroke in April.

Brown was a five-time All-Pro and was drafted second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964. He started 124 of 126 games for the Eagles (1964–68), the Los Angeles Rams (1969–70), and the Oakland Raiders (1971–73), where he played for Madden.

“Bob Brown played offense with a defensive player personality,” Madden once said. “He thought he could hit you with his forearm and take a quarter out of your hand. In other words, if he really hit you, you wouldn’t play hard until the next quarter.”

“Bob was the most aggressive lineman that ever played.”

Brown received six Pro Bowl nominations. Brown is also a member of the Class of 1993 in the College Football Hall of Fame.