Antonio Brown had been somewhat distant from social media for a few days until he recently showed up on Instagram Live and suggested that the New England Patriots bring him back.
The All-Pro wide receiver, who filed a grievance against the Patriots and Oakland Raiders seeking more than $40 million in unpaid salary and signing bonuses.
He also stated the team owes him money, so they might as well make him earn it by playing him on the field.
Stephen A. Smith wasn’t feeling that and he made sure to rip him a new one on ESPN’s “First Take.”
“I was like, ‘Did I miss something? Did I miss the news that he won the grievance and the Patriots gotta pay him?’ Because I didn’t recall seeing that, so when he said, ‘They gotta pay me anyway,’ I was like, ‘Really? When did that happen?’ Because I didn’t know that,” Smith said. “Now having said all of that, the word that comes to mind is ‘phony’ or ‘phoniness.’ That’s the word that comes to my mind when I’m thinking about Antonio Brown. And here’s the reason why, more so than anything else: Correct me if I’m wrong, didn’t we see (Antonio Brown) on his couch or his chair in the living room of his home in Pittsburgh being interviewed by our very own Mr. Fowler for ESPN, if I remember correctly months ago, didn’t he say, ‘I don’t need football.’ Talking about Antonio Brown here. He said, ‘I don’t need football. I don’t need the money.’ I’m sorry, did I hear him correctly?
“I think I’m quoting him accurately: ‘I don’t need the money and I don’t need football. You understand. There are more things in life that matter?’ I recall listening to him on the phone with (Raiders coach) Jon Gruden, when Jon Gruden said, ‘Man, I want you to be here,’ when (Brown) was secretly taping him, violating California state laws by the way. Didn’t he say … ‘I’m more than a football player. I’m a man. You know, there’s more to life than playing football. There’s more to life than the money.’ So now you’re talking about the money and the football. Really? Now that you’re not playing. You told us it didn’t matter to you. You told Jon Gruden it didn’t matter. You told the Pittsburgh Steelers it didn’t matter. Well now it matters, huh? I’m sorry, the word that comes to my mind is ‘phoniness.’ ”
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Antonio Brown has been through a rough patch that he has caused all on his own ever since he forced his way off the Pittsburgh Steelers. After being released by the Oakland Raiders, the often controversial WR would sign with the Patriots, only to get released eleven days later.
Not to mention, the NFL is still investigating allegations of sexual assault and rape that might keep him off a team for the remainder of the 2019 season.
The Patriots likely have no interest of ever reuniting with Brown again.
