By Asher U., 7th Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Arguably one of the best NFL wide receivers of all time, Antonio Brown has made a series of bad decisions, which led to his downfall and departure from the NFL.
After arguing with his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates and expressing a desire to be traded to another team, Brown was the most coveted player on the market in March. Several teams fought for the rights to Brown and the Oakland Raiders were willing to give up the best draft picks — in the third and fifth rounds in 2019 — to secure him a place on their team.
Just two months after joining the Raiders, Brown started complaining about his new helmet. The NFL had changed its helmet rule for safety reasons, thus prohibiting Brown from using his beloved 10-year-old Schutt Air Advantage helmet. Brown, however, insisted that it interfered with his vision. Eventually, he found an acceptable replacement helmet.
However, Brown’s problems continued. In late July, he arrived at practice only to be put on the non-football injury list due to frostbite on his foot, which was a consequence of wearing the wrong footwear in a cryotherapy machine used for muscle soreness.
In early September, Brown fought with Mike Mayock, the Oakland Raiders general manager, which led to his suspension. Less than 24 hours later, Raiders coach Jon Gruden retracted the suspension, citing Brown’s “emotional apology.” Gruden made it clear that Brown would play in the Raiders season opener against the Denver Broncos. Later that day, Brown posted a video on YouTube of a fight that he had with Gruden.
The next day, without playing a single regular-season game with the Raiders, Brown posted on Instagram: “Release me.” Later that day, the Raiders did.
Brody L., a 7th-grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School said, “Antonio Brown never wanted to be with the Raiders; he just wanted to be in California.”
Just after 5 p.m. on that same day, Brown posted on Twitter and Instagram that he was signing with the New England Patriots. Dan McIntyre, a physical education teacher at KSDS said, “I think he wants a Super Bowl ring.” McIntyre also believed that “[Brown] will be disciplined under [Bill] Bellichick.”
Just when the drama seemed to be over, Britney Taylor, a former gymnast at Central Michigan University, Brown’s alma mater, filed a lawsuit against the football star alleging sexual assault on multiple occasions. Taylor offered Brown a chance to keep things quiet for $2 million, but Brown declined.
“He shouldn’t have paid her because if the NFL found that he paid her, he would be in trouble,” Brody said.
Even with these troubles looming over Brown’s head, he still managed to score a touchdown in the Patriots week 2 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Despite his performance on the field, the Patriots released Brown after just 11 days with the team.
A few weeks after the start of the 2019 season, Brown found himself without a team, without a salary, out of the game he loves and facing controversy and accusations. What would have likely become a Hall of Fame career was over after 10 seasons. Brown announced he was through playing for the NFL. Following a series of bad decisions, his career has ended. The NFL lost a major player in Brown.
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