USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown didn't have the smoothest route out of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, but years later, he's expressing his true feelings toward some of those he was around during his nine-year stretch with the team - especially his quarterback.

During an appearance on VladTV, Brown said he never had a problem with Ben Roethlisberger and that the media created more of a war between the two than there actually was. 

"I love Ben, I was probably so hurt at that time I just blocked his number. I made a life, changed my life as a player, coming into my own with Ben. First time I ever hit the starting lineup Big Ben told Bruce Arians ‘Yo I need AB at the X’, so I don’t think I ever had a problem with Ben, man," Brown said. "Me and Ben made some of the greatest football history moments of my life, you know, my kids grew up seeing it. It sparked some of the greatness in my life. I feel like the media tried to create a war between us, but man I feel like me and Ben’s IQ is so much the same, sometimes I ran and created routes and he’d throw me the ball. We had that relationship, the media makes it what it is, but I got nothing but love and joy for Ben."

Since the departure from Pittsburgh, both Roethlisberger and Brown have had moments where they spoke highly of what they did together on the field. As a quarterback-wide receiver duo, they combined for 804 reception, 10,764 yards and 74 touchdowns. 

While Brown did voice his frustrations about Roethlisberger when leaving the Steelers, saying Big Ben never invited him to his home, the tensions have seemingly eased. Now, AB is making it known he's got a lot of respect for what his former quarterback helped him accomplish in the NFL. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Bronny James receives medical clearance, expected to remain in draft
Nuggets teach Timberwolves it's never easy to knock out the champion
Panthers come from behind to take Game 4 vs. Bruins
Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery
Watch: Padres star passes father on all-time home runs list
Terrion Arnold honors his mother in a unique way
Brad Keselowski breaks 110-race winless streak at Darlington
Watch: Manchester United ties record, highlighting club's ineptitude
Celtics' Jrue Holiday praises overlooked aspect of Jayson Tatum's game
Arturs Silovs' 42 saves lead Canucks past Oilers in Game 3
Braves star leaves game early due to left side soreness
Pacers blow out Knicks on Mother’s Day, even series at 2-2
Hawks GM 'shocked' that his team won the NBA Draft Lottery
Prolific former Brewers, A's slugger announces retirement
Saints to sign veteran offensive lineman
Smother's Day: Pacers shut down Knicks in first half of Game 4
Flyers goaltender suspended from international play for three years
Pistons make wrong kind of history at NBA Draft Lottery
Watch: Pacers C Myles Turner makes absurd three-pointer in first quarter vs. Knicks
Giants place key outfielder on injured list

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.