Tony Brown is an NBA referee who, according to the NBA, “has officiated 1,109 regular-season games and 35 playoff games – including his first Finals appearance in 2020 – in his 19 seasons as an NBA official”. That’s talent.
Brown knows what he’s doing as a professional in the league who’s seemingly well-respected by NBA circles.
As the NBA season winds down and the playoff approaches, the NBA referee community will be without Brown, though, as he “will not officiate the rest of the regular season nor during the 2021 NBA Playoffs after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month” according to the NBA in a statement.
Brown “has been undergoing treatment since learning of the diagnosis” according to the NBA.
TONIGHT
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) April 8, 20217:30 PM ET @Lakers at @MiamiHEAT #6 Brown, #27 Ervin, #52 Twardoski @NBAonTNT
#NBA #NBAReferees #LALvsMIA #LakeShow #HeatTwitter pic.twitter.com/e2ApEfx4f5
“Tony is a beloved member of the NBA family, and in particular, our officiating family,” Monty McCutchen, Referee Development and Training NBA senior vice president, said per the NBA. “In addition to exemplifying what it means to be a world class referee on the court, Tony also touches so many lives off the court. The NBA officiating family and the entire NBA family stand behind Tony with thoughts and prayers as he embarks upon this courageous battle.”
“Tony and his entire family wish to express their gratitude for the well-wishes, prayers, support and love which they have received over recent days,” the NBA said in its statement.
Those well-wishes, prayers, support, and love for the popular referee have come from all over.
Prayers sent to Tony and his family during these times!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 10, 2021#CancerGoToHell pic.twitter.com/6bSOaSMciC
- “Prayers for our NBA family member Tony Brown,” Richard Jefferson tweeted.
- “My family and I thoughts and prayers are with Tony Brown and his family as they go through this courageous battle! #NBAfamily#Nba,” Dwyane Wade tweeted.
- “Pancreatic Cancer took my father 9 years ago,” @shweeties182 said in a retweet of James’ tweet. “It remains the 4th deadliest cancer because it is very hard to find early. Just 6% of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are alive more than 5 years later. I’m hoping Tony Brown is one of the 6%”.
- “Prayers up to Tony Brown,” Marc J. Spears said in a tweet.
- “NBA fans, let us all pray for the well-being of Tony Brown, and for his family as well…,” ClutchPoints NBA said in a tweet.
- “Prayers…for @OfficialNBARefs Tony Brown who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” Mark Jones tweeted. “Tony is…a 19 year vet. He’s one of the best.I’ve always enjoyed his energy and his million watt smile. Let’s declare…and claim healing and restoration over Tony today”.
“If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we’re here to help,” the Pancreatic Cancer Network urges. “We provide more resources and speak with more pancreatic cancer patients and caregivers than any other organization in the world. No one should have to face pancreatic cancer alone.”
For more information on detecting pancreatic cancer for you or a loved one, you can find that here at the American Cancer Society.
