Just two days after being cut by the New England Patriots, Antonio Brown announced on Twitter his intentions to never again play football in the NFL. One has to ask, how the hell did we get here? The former sixth-round pick from Western Michigan seemed Canton-bound after eight stand-out seasons in the NFL. He gave us, as fans, a story of inspiration. From a small school prospect growing up homeless on the streets of Miami, to a national superstar, number 84 was an easy player to root for. That was until he showed us his true disposition, revealing to the general public the kind of man he truly is. He is a far cry from the hard-working, driven young man he once was, instead transforming in front of our very eyes into a foolish, selfish, and downright cruel, sad excuse for a man.
“Woah, woah there Zeke,” you might be tempted to say, “lets not get too hasty in labeling this man a monster.” Oh contraire, dear reader. I would disagree with you there, and I have the receipts to back up my claims. In this day and age of easily-consumable media, it is often easy to lose sight of the full picture. In order to refresh ourselves on Antonio Brown’s transgressions, let us take a trip down memory lane.
[Antonio Brown] is nothing but a narcissistic diva who believes himself to be God’s gift to the world.
-Zeke Warren-Weigmann
Dec. 16, 2018: After a spat with Steelers QB Ben Rothlisberger in practice over an incorrectly-run route, Brown stormed off the practice field, missing practice for the rest of the week. Due to him missing practice, he was not allowed to play in the week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving the Steelers without their top receiving threat. At that point, the Steelers were still alive in the playoff hunt, but thanks to Brown’s absence they lost that game and missed the postseason.
July 26, 2019: After being traded to the Raiders and restructuring his already massive contract, Brown is unable to practice with his new team due to contracting frostbite on his feet. It is still unclear how this happened, but reports suggest he refused to wear proper footwear while in a cryo-therapy machine.
Aug. 2019: Brown misses weeks of practice while petitioning the NFL to allow him to wear his old (no longer league-approved) helmet. In an attempt to use his old helmet, Brown paints his Steelers helmet in Raiders colors, but is immediately caught and not allowed to practice. Following the denial of his first grievance with the league, he proceeds to file another, only lengthening his time away from the Raiders facilities. He would go on to lose the second grievance.
Sept. 4, 2019: Brown is fined $54,000 by the Raiders for missed practices. This prompts Brown to partake in a verbal altercation with Raider’s General Manager Mike Mayock that reportedly almost turned physical.
Sept. 7, 2019: Brown is fined $215,000 by the Raiders for “conduct detrimental to the club,” which voided his $30 million dollar guarenteed contract. Brown then took to Instagram and asked for his release from the team. He was released later that day.
Sept. 8, 2019: Brown signs a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
Sept. 10, 2019: Brown is accused of sexual assault by a former trainer.
Sept. 16, 2019: Brown is accused a sexual assault by a second woman.
Sept. 20, 2019: Brown is released by the Patriots following the discovery that he had sent threatening text messages to his second accuser in which he threatened her children.
I will miss Antonio Brown the player. He was a world-class wide receiver with some of the most electrifying skills that this game has ever seen. I will not miss Antonio Brown the man. He is nothing but a narcissistic diva who believes himself to be God’s gift to the world. The NFL will be better for it if we never see him take the field again. Goodbye, Mr. Big Chest, may we never hear you or your god-awful nicknames again.
