Former Browns exec Hampton dies

CLEVELAND (AP)—Bill Hampton Jr., a former executive with the Cleveland Browns and the senior director of Pro Leagues for Under Armour since 2006, died unexpectedly after attending the Espy Awards on Wednesday night. He was 51.

Hampton, one of four members of his family to work for an NFL team, was vice president of operations for the Browns from 1999-2006, the team said on its Web site Thursday. No cause of death was given.

Bill Hampton Sr. was the New York Jets’ equipment manager for more than 40 years. Bill Jr.’s brother, Clay, works for the Jets and his younger brother, Drew, is the equipment manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bill Hampton Jr. worked with his father with the Jets until 1994 when he left to become director of Pro Line Operations with NFL Properties.