Mike Janora & AJ Oakes
Staff Writers
Nine years ago, as the Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp for the 2010 season, head coach Mike Tomlin assessed the future of sixth-round pick Antonio Brown and Brown's fellow rookie receivers. Now, Brown has separated himself from his whole rookie class, and the rest of the NFL, by fashioning the most prolific six-year stretch for a receiver in NFL history, topping 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in each of the past six seasons. Brown’s accomplishments on the field have been masked by the drama he’s been facing off the field.
On Jan 15, 2017 the Steelers had just won a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs 18-16. After the win in the Steelers locker room, Brown was secretly on Facebook Live recording the Steelers post-game celebration, also capturing the coach’s, Mike Tomlin, remarks about their next opponent, the New England Patriots. Brown was later fined for violating the NFL’s social media policy.
Brown has also faced many other charges that have really diminished many people's outlooks on him as a person. For example, on Oct.9th in 2018 Brown faced a couple lawsuits from an April incident where he damaged his leased South Florida apartment and threw objects off his balcony,nearly striking a two year-old boy.Feb. 12th was the last day for Antonio Brown and his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers for nine years. He exclaimed in a tweet “time to move on,” giving reasoning to investigate trading the elite receiver, who has three years still left on his contract. The Steelers traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders for a third and fifth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. After the draft there were reports saying that the New England Patriots offered a first-round pick for Brown, but the Steelers didn’t want to trade him to such a close rival.
Now as the NFL season begins, star ex-Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown, is already in major controversy. The last two months for Antonio Brown have been nothing but mayhem. Starting in late July, Brown was diagnosed with cryotherapy frostbite on his feet. Brown sat out for some time in raiders training camp. He eventually made his way back to the field. Brown then found himself in more controversy when he filed a helmet grievance after the NFL stopped him from using his helmet brand he has been using for ten years.
AB threatened retirement from the league if he was not given his way, but many interpreted this as a publicity stunt. After weeks of back and forth, Brown eventually came in agreement with the League. He is now allowed to use his preferred brand of helmet. After weeks of missing practice and camp, the Raiders GM, Mike Mayok, fined Brown for the time missed over his helmet grievance. After the fines, Brown posted his fine information to the world when he put it on Instagram.
Antonio Brown was later cut by the Raiders for the racial slurs and threats toward GM Mayock. Soon after being cut he was picked up by the Patriots franchise. Brown played onegame recording four catches and a touchdown. But when you thought it was over for Antonio Brown, it’snot, Brown was later accused of a sexual assault charge on his former female trainer and is now under fire by the league. Brown has been released by the Patriots per source. The Patriots said “Best to move in a different direction at this time.” Antonio Brown then came out to say that all the accusations are true and he tweeted “Thank you for the opportunity.”, and “The marathon continues.” What will be his next step in the NFL, if not then what will be his next step forward? Will he learn from his mistakes?
