Orlando Brown had a momentous weekend beyond work.
The Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle likely had his thoughts diverted from football during Saturday’s 34-11 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. His fiancé’s water broke two weeks early that morning.
After playing the game, Brown watched the birth of his second son, Sonny, on FaceTime. Brown said everyone returned home healthy the day after Sonny’s birth.
“That’s one of those things, at the end of day, I’m thankful she understands and my family understands,” Brown said Wednesday, per Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “For me, football is kind of everything right now. You don’t really get this opportunity back. You don’t get the opportunity to see a birth, either. For me, it was important to be there with the guys in Pittsburgh and to be out there with them.”
Orlando Brown Jr. missed the birth of his son to play the Steelers on Saturday.
More emotions are tap this week as he returns to face his former team in KC with the #Bengals playoff hopes on the line: https://t.co/y73nGydEyZ
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) December 27, 2023
Brown has missed just one game during his six-year NFL career. The four-time Pro Bowler has played every snap on offense for Cincinnati this season.
Unfortunately, he missed a major life moment to take part in a blowout loss.
Jake Browning hit his first roadblock in a breakout year when throwing three interceptions and getting sacked three times. The Bengals accrued just 59 rushing yards and allowed two deep touchdowns from Mason Rudolph to George Pickens.
The loss increases the odds of Brown going home to his expanded family sooner. At 8-7, the Bengals are tied with the Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans for the AFC’s final wild-card spot.
A potentially sleep-deprived Brown will presumably play Sunday’s pivotal Week 17 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.