A Letter From the Editor: Remembering Antonio Brown, not AB
The other day I stumbled upon ESPN’s NFL Quarter Century Team, and while the Pittsburgh Steelers were represented by Alan Faneca and Troy Polamalu, there was one glaring remission from the list, and it was at the wide receiver position.
ESPN selected Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Terrell Owens and Justin Jefferson as their six wide receivers to make the team. I’m not saying any of the players listed were sub-par or not worthy of such accolades, but at the same time I feel we are leaving off a player who was the epitome of dominant during his prime.
That would be Antonio Brown.
No, I’m not talking about “AB”, but Antonio Brown.
You know, the 6th Round pick out of Central Michigan who wasted little time making an impact on special teams, with his first NFL touch being a reverse kickoff return for a touchdown.
Antonio Brown turns 31 today 🎈
On day 1, he took his first NFL touch to the crib 🙌
(via @nflthrowback) pic.twitter.com/hTVmVJwImQ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 10, 2019
Brown’s star rose from there to tremendous heights, being called upon to make plays when it mattered most. Who can forget his helmet catch against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs?
Never forget this amazing helmet catch by Antonio Brown on 3rd and 19 to help the Steelers beat the Ravens in the 2010 playoffs. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/MoONDKF3gR
— BlitzburghUSAVideos (@sdextrasmedia) October 30, 2020
How about his clutch 3rd down catch which sent the Steelers to the Super Bowl, and put Rex Ryan into a fit on the sidelines?
Remember the 3rd and 6 play that sealed the #Steelers AFC Championship win over the Jets nine years ago today? Ben being Ben finds Antonio Brown for a first down. Rex Ryan wasn’t too happy. pic.twitter.com/cjttYPZLgV
— BlitzburghUSAVideos (@sdextrasmedia) January 23, 2020
Naturally, when you talk about clutch Antonio Brown plays, you have to remember the “Immaculate Extension” play to beat the Ravens and win the AFC North division for the Steelers.
Never forget:
The Immaculate Extension
Christmas Day 2016.
Ravens vs Steelers. A short pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown would win the Steelers the division and mark the high point of @AB84 career pic.twitter.com/zQM7zv2fhz
— Athletiverse (@Athletiverse) December 24, 2023
I realize when Brown was traded from the Steelers to the Raiders for a 3rd and 5th Round pick, it was the beginning of the end for Brown. The man who only went by “AB” forced his way out of the Raiders organization, to catch on with the New England Patriots. He eventually wound up with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and won a Super Bowl with the team.
But it was the year after when he went off the proverbial deep end, walking off the field in the middle of the game, never to play in the NFL ever again.
One year ago today: Antonio Brown took off his jersey and bounced in middle of an NFL game.
He has not played ever since. pic.twitter.com/ZqWlAOHfqV
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 2, 2023
The fall from grace was precipitous for Brown, and it seems as if the way he handled himself on the field at the end of his career, and how he has handled himself off the field since his retirement has tarnished what was an amazing career.
Even if you just look at his time with the Steelers, his career was absolutely remarkable. And, if I’m being honest, I don’t think the stats below truly dictate how dominant, an uncoverable, he was in the black-and-gold with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback.
For those who need a refresher. Brown played for the Steelers from 2010 to 2018. He had 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 79 touchdowns in 130 games. He led the league in receptions twice and receiving yards once during his time with the Steelers.
Here’s a more detailed look at some of his key stats:
- Receptions: 837
- Receiving Yards: 11,207
- Receiving Touchdowns: 79
- Games Played: 130
- Yards per Reception: 13.2
- Targets: 1,406
It seems recency bias has gotten the worse of Brown, and his career.
As he has had a tremendous amount of off-field issues since leaving the Steelers, the issues have gotten progressively worse. The most recent being a warrant out for his arrest for attempted murder as he carried a firearm into a MMA event and fired the weapon during a fight after the event.
A tremendous fall from grace, but I wanted to remember Antonio Brown for being one of the most dynamic wide receivers the modern NFL has ever seen. His connection with Roethlisberger, and his ability to make plays, won’t be forgotten by Steelers fans who loved watching him play week-in and week-out.
As for me, I like to remember Antonio Brown as the fun-loving player who also hosted the “What it is” show for the Steelers organization. Don’t remember that? Click HERE.
In the meantime, let me know what you think about Brown’s time with the Steelers, and his career as a whole, in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold preparing for training camp.
He was such a fun player to watch! The Killer B era was some of the most entertaining football I’ve watched in my life. Brown could easily could have been a “one helmet guy”, in the Steelers Hall of Honor, and wear a gold jacket but whatever happened to him, it was his true undoing was pretty sad to see.
My brother got me a one of those Pop Funko dolls of Brown this year, in his words “as a practical joke and gag gift because he was a clown.” It’s a darn shame people forget about what he did for the team on the field before he started to go off-the-wall.
PS
I almost forgot about the What It Is show he did. That always made me laugh!
The What It Is show was something I watched every week. It was the last showing of Antonio Brown…before turning into AB
Brown was dominant from 2013-2017, all other of his Pgh seasons were good, except for 2012, when he was injured. Worked hard, played with effort, achieved more with fewer physical gifts when he is compared to Jones (or GP)–yes Brown > Julio during the aforementioned five seasons. Perhaps if Azzanni was on Pgh’s staff… but ifs and buts aren’t candy and nuts, and AB’s bike-riding somewhere in the UAE. I remember Gabe Rivera and “Fats” Holmes. “Big Daddy” Lipscolm happened when I was very young, maybe Ernie can write about him. Tragedies all.
And I stand by Lebeau and T.J., too. Typical ESPN.
The guy worked his tail off to become the player he became. He was unstoppable……on the field. Fame, money and success created the AB persona, the hit by Burfict didn’t help. Still though that stretch he had with Ben was some of the best football I have ever watched. He always made a play when it was needed. There were other great trios in the history of the league but the Killa B’s was one of the best of all time. Still trying to figure out why no championships? All three were clutch in their respective ways.
I think the timeline was:
Antonio BrownAB<BURFICT HIT>Mr. Big Chest<Antics>Mr. Bought-to-be ‘Carcerated