Albany Empire fans came out to watch their favorite football team this week, but because they thought a former NFL all-pro would be taking the field.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown stated he would be suiting up for the team he now owns and plays one last game. Because of that, the crowd had more than 2,000 more fans than usual.
Those fans were treated to disappointment as Brown never took the field.
Brown had an excuse for why he did not play as he didn’t want to go around the “proper procedures” in making his debut.
Many were dismayed by his ‘bogus excuse,’ as Arena Football League commissioner Chris Siegfried suggested the former All-Pro could have overridden the decision as a member of the team’s ownership.
“There’s proper procedures you’ve got to do to play football,” Brown said, via WNYT’s Rodger Wyland. “You’ve got to pass the coach, the commissioner. You’ve got to be in physical condition. You can’t just pop up, so I’ve got to get my feet wet. We’ve got to get the proper equipment. We’ve got to do the right thing.”
This was clearly a publicity stunt by Brown to take away from the constant negative attention the team has received since he took over.
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Also over the weekend, Brown offered former Panthers star and NFL MVP Cam Newton to come into the league to play with him. Newton has been rumored to have been targeted by Brown in recent weeks, but it seems that is growing more by the day.
If that were to happen, Brown would certainly hit the field.
