Longtime NBA Referee Tony Brown Dead at 55

Veteran NBA referee Tony Brown passed away Thursday at the age of 55 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, Yahoo Sports reported.

Brown had officiated over 1,100 regular season games and 25 playoff games in 17 seasons, according to the National Basketball Referees Association. He worked one game in the 2020 NBA Finals.

“Tony Brown was one of the most accomplished referees in the NBA and an inspiration to his colleagues,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Brown was diagnosed with the disease in April 2021.

“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,” Yahoo’s Chris Haynes wrote on Twitter.

Brown spent his final days in hospice care in Emory University Hospital in Atlanta surrounded by his family and other loved ones.

“This dude here is nothing short of amazing. He just decided he was going to be positive, and that we are going to win. Even in the hospice unit he is cracking jokes,” his wife Tina Brown told Fox 5 Atlanta last week as the couple aimed to raise $100,000 for the Clark Atlanta basketball program, the alma mater for both Tony and Tina.

The basketball team from the University recently brought a signed jersey to Brown in the hospital to lift up his spirits.

“In his physical, the cancer might be winning, but it’s the other part where we’re beating cancer, and this is one of those moments where we can say we’re beating cancer,” Tina told WSB-TV at the time.

Tony, a Florida native and all-state basketball player, worked for the G League and the WNBA before moving to the NBA.

“We are and have been sustained by the consistent outpouring of love and support through this journey in developing strength, acceptance and peace,” said Tony’s wife, Tina Brown. “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. Thanks to the Lustgarten Foundation and PanCan.

“Keep striving for the cures. Many, many thanks to our NBRA and NBA family whose generosity is unmatched. And a very special thank you to the Emory/Bridgeway Hospice Unit. Your compassion and care went above and beyond. We are forever grateful!”