Antonio Brown’s controversies: He has flirted with prison time and exposed himself in public

Once a glistening beacon of hope for those from underprivileged backgrounds, Antonio Brown’s legacy, and life, have descended into chaos; a sad sight for many NFL fans. 

Brown, once assured of a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame – his resume unquestionably warrants it – now sits out on the NFL outer. Thursday, his Albany Empire organization – were unceremoniously dumped from another football league, the AFL, for refusing to pay requisite franchise fees. 

The 34-year-old, who looked to have escaped a turbulent upbringing to a place of self and financial prosperity, has become a walking headline for his erratic behavior since the late 2010s. 

At a time, it was tolerated due to his all-time talent, but eventually Brown’s behavior became too much for even his own on-field greatness to overcome. During and following his NFL career he has faced litany of allegations from sexual assault, domestic violence, public indecency and mistreatment of staff, among others.

Brown is now mostly remembered and written about for his undesirable antics as opposed to the genius he once displayed virtually every Sunday for a near-decade. Mail Sport delves into the controversies of Antonio Brown and how he arrived at his latest moment of ignominy. 

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Brown arrived at Pittsburgh as a sixth-round pick in the 2010 Draft after an originally bumpy college career blossomed at Central Michigan.

The Miami native became an historically great wide receiver – one of the best in human history – in the Steel City. 

All seemed positive in Pittsburgh until a famous, sickening hit by Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict in a 2015 AFC Wild Card game. To this point, Brown had not caused controversy with the Steelers. 

The following season, he livestreamed a postgame speech by coach Mike Tomlin in which he called out the Patriots before its AFC Championship Game. 

In 2018, Brown began to be a distraction. He allegedly threw furniture from his 14th floor Miami condo – for which he was later found liable for damages – just missing a 22-month child meandering on the below patio.

He also began to feud with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and skipped practices before a Week 17 game vs. the Bengals, which proved a catalyst for his later-approved trade to Las Vegas in March of 2019.

Antonio Brown was a revelation on the gridiron for Pittsburgh, becoming one of the top WRs in the National Football League after being drafted out of Central Michigan in the sixth round 

Brown was never caught on video, but is alleged to have thrown furniture from his 14th floor condo in Miami in 2018 — just missing a 22-month-old child, who was meandering below

Oakland Raiders

Controversies intensified and multiplied in 2019 as Brown’s reputation in and out of the league began to slowly erode.

In August, Brown suffered frostbite on his feet after failing to wear proper footwear while undergoing cryotherapy treatment. Soon after, Brown missed a chunk of practice due to an issue with the NFL’s helmet policy, among other reasons, and was subsequently fined $54,000. 

Multiple reports said Brown also called GM Mike Mayock a ‘cracker’ and reportedly threatened to punch him during an altercation in September prior to the Raiders’ season-opener.  Two days later, he was released. Prior to the Raiders cutting him, he posted  a video insisting he receive his NFL freedom, airing a conversation with then-coach Jon Gruden. 

Brown was released, missing out on $30million in guaranteed money after signing a three-year, $50.1m deal with the Oakland franchise.

The Miami native never played a snap for the then-Oakland Raiders and lost $30m guaranteed 

Brown’s feet were eviscerated after he did not wear requisite footwear during cryo treatment 

New England Patriots 

Brown signed with the world champion Patriots in what looked to be a classic Patriots reformation story, but it proved anything but despite a bright start in a blowout of Miami. 

Three days after signing with the team – September 10, 2019 – as a free agent, a lawsuit was filed against Brown by his former trainer, Britney Taylor, who claimed she had been raped by the receiver. 

He played vs. Miami five days later in a 43-0 win, grabbing a touchdown. A second woman accused him of sexual harassment on September 15, the Patriots released Brown soon after on September 20 — playing just one game with the franchise. He settled with Taylor in April of 2021. 

The Pats released Brown a mere eight days after signing him on September 7, 2019 amid accusations of sexual assault and rape. Brown scored a TD in his sole game for the team

Britney Taylor came forward to accuse Brown of sexual assault and rape in September 2019

Free Agency 

In late September of 2019, Brown said he was retiring — only to change his mind just four days later. He was suspended for the first eight weeks of the 2020 season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy in July. 

While still on the market, Brown was involved in a litany of domestic incidences which called for police presence at his Hollywood home. 

Brown was charged with felony burglary of a vehicle, misdemeanor criminal mischief and misdemeanor battery in January 2020 after he was accused of threatening, and throwing rocks at a moving company truck driver after refusing to pay for a delivery.

The wideout ultimately entered a no contest plea, receiving a two-year probation, 100 hours of community service and anger-management counseling.

Brown was thrust onto the free agent market despite an immediate connection with Tom Brady

He faced charges of burglary with battery (a felony), burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and criminal mischief after being accused of throwing rocks at a truck driver in 2020

Tampa Bay Buccaneers  

Despite the off-field antics, Brown signed a one-year-deal with Tampa Bay thanks partially to an endorsement from quarterback Tom Brady on October 24, 2020. 

After serving his league suspension, he proved a valuable contributor to the NFC South franchise as it made an unlikely run to the Super Bowl, which they would eventually win vs. Kansas City at Raymond James Stadium. 

Brown returned to the Bucs for the 2021 season, signing a one-year, $6.25m deal. In December, he was suspended three games by the league for misrepresenting his vaccination status. 

As the 11-4 Bucs geared up for another tilt at the postseason, Brown incredibly quit on the team midgame during Week 17 vs. Jets at MetLife Stadium. The passionate receiver took his jersey, shoulder pads, shirt and gloves off as he then proceeded to run off while hyping up the crowd while the Bucs were on offense.

A day prior to his official release, Brown accused head coach Bruce Arians and the team of forcing him to play on an injured ankle. He was cut by the organization on January 6, 2022.

During his first season with the Buccaneers, Brown claimed his first, and only, Super Bowl title

Brown gave Jets fans the peace sign as he stripped off midgame in his last NFL game

Through his attorney, Brown released a statement explaining his departure from the Jets game

Post-NFL Career 

As it looked at the time of Brown’s midgame departure in the Meadowlands, his career is all but over. 

While his premature exit in East Rutherford may have been the final straw, the 34-year-old continued to grow his indiscretion list. While on vacation in Dubai, he was filmed flashing his bare butt and penis while in the Armani Hotel pool. The incident, while reported October 1, 2022, was said to occur months earlier in May.

In the aftermath, he tweeted ‘I’m telling every team that needs some offense to pick up AB bc he’s shown that he still has the ability to expose a D.’ 

An arrest warrant was issued for Brown on grounds of domestic violence charges after he allegedly threw a shoe at his ex-fiancée in November in the midst of an argument. This year has hardly been better for Brown, he has often denigrated former friend and teammate Tom Brady, and his ex-wife Gisele Bundchen. 

Another arrest warrant was issued for the former Steeler in April after failing to make child support payments – which he resolved after paying more than $30,000, per his attorney. 

Brown has photoshopped pictures of him and Gisele Bundchen, ex-wife of his former team-mate in Tampa Bay, Tom Brady, hugging. It is one of many barbs he has thrown Brady’s way

Brown shared a video of a woman performing oral sex on him in January – though, he said his snapchat was hacked – and most recently, was asked to leave the Holiday Inn Express in Albany, per The Times Union, following complaints of a marijuana stench and loud music.

The Albany Empire franchise has descended into chaos under his majority control — despite just two months in charge. He has fired multiple head coaches and released its two starting quarterbacks. The Times Union have also reported player and coach payments were missed.

While Brown likely has no future in the league, he has amused social media users with posts of a return – this comes despite retiring on March 2. On April 28 – on day two of the NFL Draft — Brown tweeted a superimposed image of him in a Baltimore Ravens uniform, with the caption ‘Excited to return to the NFL this year.’

The wideout-turned-rapper looks unlikely to be on the gridiron anytime soon. Though, there’s an equally minimal chance, ‘AB’ is off the grid altogether.

Brown joked of an NFL return last month, posting a photoshopped image in a Ravens uniform

Brown’s Albany Empire organization was unceremoniously dumped from the AFL this week