Former All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown spent eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted to the Black and Gold back in 2010. Brown’s split from the franchise after the 2018 season was shrouded in drama. His apology comes on the heels of a series of apologies the former Steeler has delivered since his interview with Josina Anderson last week.
Antonio Brown Issues Apology to the Team That Drafted Him
“They Gave Me an Opportunity When I Was 21 Years Old …”
Brown apologized on Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan yesterday. Back in Pittsburgh, Brown explained that he is sorry for being a distraction.
“These guys gave me an opportunity when I was 21 years old. I’m forever grateful to those guys,” said Brown.
Brown told the radio station, “I apologize to those guys for the distractions, the unwanted attention that I probably caused those guys.”
Despite being asked directly if he had anything specific to say to his former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, his former head coach Mike Tomlin or team owner Art Rooney II, Brown didn’t specify. He instead addressed the organization as a whole.
“To the organization. Obviously you want to clear out and disrespect or unintended attention that was brought to the organization.”
How Does Juju Smith-Schuster Fit Into All This?
The Steelers drafted rookie wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster back in 2018. As many expected, he was taken under AB’s wing. The two were seen early on in the season as a powerful and dynamic duo, even celebrating one another with dances and jokes.
They are now known for their contentious relationship on social media. They’ve each exchanged jabs via Twitter and Instagram. The most recent incident between the former teammates came when Brown posted a throwback picture of him and Smith-Schuster with the caption, “It’s all about inspiring the culture; it’s all love.”
Smith-Schuster responded to the post on twitter. The young wide receiver tweeted, “Unblock me so we can talk then.”
Smith-Schuster was mentioned by name in Brown’s interview with The Fan. Brown said the younger wide receiver showed him disrespect on social media after he was first traded from the Steelers to the Oakland Raiders.
How Does Football Fit Into All This?
After administrative issues with the Raiders, Brown found his way to Foxborough where he played one game for the New England Patriots. Since the Patriots released him amid sexual assault investigations following a lawsuit levied by his former trainer, Britney Taylor, Brown has been a free agent in the NFL.
In his elongated off-season, the former wide receiver has not been absent from headlines. Brown was most recently arrested in Hollywood, FL on charges of burglary and battery. Released on bail, Brown said he still doesn’t know what is next for him.
As a free agent he is still eligible to be picked up by teams ahead of the 2020 season. Fans and analysts alike have speculated that starting his apology tour at ESPN could be an indication that the former wide receiver hasn’t given up on the NFL.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell isn’t ready to discuss the free agent’s future in the league quite yet. Last month, Goodell told media he is more concerned for Antonio Brown the person than the prospect of his return.
“We want to help him get on the right track, get him in a position where he can be successful in life. We are confident that can happen,” Goodell said. “We want to work hard to do that. From our standpoint, that is the first step. The first step is making sure that we’re doing everything to help Antonio.”
Brown told 93.7 The Fan that he doesn’t know what will come.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do right now,” said Brown. “I’m taking it one day at a time.”
