Following former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown's story is like being on a roller coaster ride. Brown reached some serious highs during his nine seasons with Pittsburgh. He was a four-time First Team All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowler. He was widely considered the best wide receiver in the NFL during his time.
When Brown left after the 2018 season, it was amid a storm of chaos. That chaos felt like it had slowly been building as he skipped practices and got into arguments with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But Brown claims none of that is why he requested a trade. He says now that he wanted out because he had zero faith the Steelers organization could get him the Super Bowl ring he so desperately coveted.
Brown recently joined host Jason Whitlock's podcast Fearless and talked about leaving the Steelers. He told Whitlock he wasn't trying to "manipulate" any deals; it wasn't about money.
"I wanted to get out of Pittsburgh because I was realizing we not going to win the Super Bowl. We're not going to do anything great. How we going to do anything great? You put in your top receiver against a kid, he's a rookie. You think a rookie receiver gonna be able to take two double teams and the best guy every week? He's not even prepared. We play football to be champions and to change the life of your family. I wanted to be a champion, so I'm not trying to leave the team because of the money."
Of course, Brown refers to JuJu Smith-Schuster as the unprepared kid. Smith-Schuster was drafted in the second round in 2017 and spent two seasons playing with Brown before Brown was traded to the then-Oakland Raiders.
Surprisingly, Brown did not see the beneficial situation he and Smith-Schuster created for each other. Smith-Schuster had a strong showing in his first two seasons. It was obvious that defenses were distracted by Brown, but as they realized they had to divide their attention, it helped create opportunities for both.
Brown has previously shared that he takes exception with Smith-Schuster and how he appeared to steal his spotlight. Brown won the team MVP award in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, but felt snubbed when the award went to the sophomore receiver in 2018.
Brown did not get that Super Bowl with the Raiders; he had to chase it around a bit. It didn't surprise anyone in Pittsburgh that he created conflict everywhere he went. After a fight with the general manager, a frostbitten foot, and an emotional plea to his teammates, Brown demanded a trade at the beginning of September out of Oakland.
His talent was undeniable, so the New England Patriots were willing to take a chance on him. Quarterback Tom Brady, who'd been playing against the Steelers for years, knew how incredible Brown was. Brady did all he could to get Brown in a positive headspace and play with him in New England. When that didn't work out, Brady recruited Brown to join him with his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in 2020. He had a touchdown reception in Super Bowl LV at the end of that season and finally won the ring he sought after.
No Steelers Wide Receiver Is Safe From Antonio Brown's Venom
Smith-Schuster is hardly the only receiver to have negativity spread about them from Brown. On a different podcast, Brown went on a tirade earlier this year about former Steelers great, Hines Ward. Brown called Ward his "stepson" and said he wasn't fit to hold his jock strap.
Maybe that is jealousy. While no one can deny Brown's stats, results matter. Ward won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was named MVP of Super Bowl XL.
Do you believe that a Super Bowl is the only reason Brown wanted to leave the Steelers? Click to
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