Struck in the eye by a weighted flag thrown by an official during a game between Cleveland and Jacksonville on 19 December 1999. Although the official immediately apologized, Brown shoved him, knocking him down. Brown was ejected from the game, then suspended by the NFL. The suspension was rescinded when the severity of the injury became clear. Brown, who missed the next three seasons because of the injury, sued the NFL for $200 million, settling the lawsuit for $25 million.