The story of former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is an interesting one but a sad one as well. The former superstar wideout has been in the news the last few years for everything but his skills on the field.
The latest case of AB being in the news is about as serious as it gets, and while it’s just alleged at this time, the specifics of the matter are disturbing and worthy of taking seriously.
Report: A new report by ESPN claims that Antonio Brown allegedly threatened his own players with a gun during his tenure in the Arena League, via @AntOlivieri https://t.co/JoYRdIqj4v
"AB looked at Ryan [Larkin] and was like, 'Hey, man, you still got the AR in the car? Go get… pic.twitter.com/ae2tVWaesM
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 3, 2023
Many fans want to remember the Antonio Brown who was at one point in time the most dynamic and unstoppable wide receiver in the NFL. His days of tearing up secondaries and having flashy touchdown celebrations we all enjoyed to watch on Sundays are long gone, and his steady decline over the last few years has been sad to watch.
Now we are often reminded every time Brown is in the news that there is much more to a person than just what they do on a football field. Oftentimes, the truth is much more ugly than the perception.
AB is not a good dude https://t.co/dpZIwGaXB6
— The Anonymous Nobody (@el_budget) September 3, 2023
People still wanting to give this man passes is crazy… https://t.co/rUiJlmf22w
— KJ (@KJ_doesnt_care) September 3, 2023
I'm shocked he would do that….said no one ever…. https://t.co/gtZokifRI5
— Jay (@FabFour196470) September 3, 2023
As you can see, the fan reaction on social media is one that is sadly not one of being surprised but also one of fatigue. It seems like Brown has been in the news several times since his shirtless exit from MetLife Stadium, and none of which have been for good reasons.
A Sad Fall for One of the League’s Best Wide Receivers
In Brown’s prime, you had to account for him on the field every single play. His ability to take a top off a defense or even take a quick slant 70 yards for a touchdown was truly a rare ability.
Brown played in the NFL for nine seasons, and during that time, he played in 146 games tallying 83 touchdowns, 928 receptions, and 12,291 receiving yards. The highly productive wide receiver sadly had more to offer the NFL, and if it wasn’t for character and off-the-field issues, he would likely still be out there commanding double-teams on Sundays.
MORE: Should Antonio Brown Make the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Brown even had an ally in the greatest of all time. Tom Brady attempted to take him under his wing and vouched for the wideout to be signed in Tampa Bay. Brady even went as far as letting Brown live with him for a period of time.
Sadly, none of it mattered, and Brown’s time in Tampa Bay will go down in infamy. Like a great movie once said, “There is nothing sadder in life than wasted talent.” Unfortunately, that is where Brown finds himself now.