Reason Number ∞ Why AB Will Never Play In The NFL Again
They say that lightning never strikes in the same place twice, but Antonio Brown (AB) has seemingly had lightning strike a ∞number of times between last season and now. Even after all the self-destructive tendencies of AB, this next one might actually be the career-killer, even for a potential stint in a new league (if that is what he wants). It is reported by ESPN’s Adam Shefter, that AB is set (has not done so yet) to file nine (9) grievances and appeals with the NFL, a record. These grievances include an attempt to get back roughly the $61 million dollars that he was guaranteed between the Raiders and Patriots. The breakdown of the financial grievances are as follows:
- $31 million from Oakland Raiders
- $29 million of the salary guarantee that was voided
- $1 million signing bonus and unpaid Week 1 salary
- $30 Million from the New England Patriots
- $1 million salary
- $9 million signing bonus
- $64K salary from week 3
- Guaranteed $20 million option year salary for 2020
As always it is important to note that none of these financial grievances have come to fruition as of yet. However, if the NFL ends up suspending Brown, he could easily have another grievance added to the list. But, although we believe the nail was already in the coffin for Brown after the second sexual assault allegation, if it was not then, it is now.
Antonio Brown has now shown he is a PR disaster, locker-room cancer, and potential victim-shamer. But, he has now, also shown, that he is a fighter. Now, normally I would not say that is negative. If a player feels that he was wronged by the league or a team, he has the right to file a grievance to the NFL with the NFLPA potentially representing him. The issue is that teams now know that if they sign him to a new deal, he is far from willing to “sit down and take it.” For example, imagine AB is angry at his new GM and decides to insult him like he did Raiders GM Mike Mayock. In that scenario a team seemingly is in their rights to suspend him and fined him accordingly. But, if there is a pattern to AB’s tumultuous year, he is a fighter that will not “sit down and take it.” Teams will not like that. Make that reason number ∞ as to why AB will never play in the NFL ever again. A brief outline of the previous 10 reasons we gave on the SOTG podcast are below:
- Sexual Assault Allegations:
- Britney Taylor’s allegations related to training sessions and his subsequent bragging.
- The second victim revealed by Sports Illustrated. The potential victim was an artist AB showed interest in, to ultimately find him behind her naked with just a towel over his genitals.
- Money:
- Not worth the money he will likely demand anymore. There is a dark cloud that is following him, and it is electric.
- Locker-Room Cancer:
- I feel like this is now self-explanatory. Steelers traded him. Raiders dropped him. Patriots dropped him. Nike dropped him. He seems to be a “bad apple.”
- Threatening the second potential victim:
- The second victim was included in a group text where Brown seems to call her broke and the woman’s attorney claims intimidation
- 3 Strikes and You are OUT:
- This his 3rd team in a year. At some point, teams will take notice. The writing is on the wall with big, bold letters.
- Potential Suspension:
- The NFL is still “investigating” and could easily still end up suspending Brown in relation to his conduct off the field, whether found guilty or not.
- But as we have seen, AB is not shy to appeal, something I would expect him to do if a suspension was implemented.
- Ray Rice-Syndrome:
- Ray Rice to this day has never played another down in the NFL. Although there is no video evidence as is the case with Rice, AB is radioactive to the touch.
- Court of Public Opinion:
- AB may be innocent. But the court of public opinion has rendered its decision.
- Take the man for what he is:
- SI conducted interviews with more than two dozen people who have employed, worked for, coached, or played alongside Brown—some who have taken legal action against him, and others who have not—and reviewed police and court documents from jurisdictions ranging from Miami to Pittsburgh to Oakland. In a half-dozen lawsuits, he is accused of refusing to pay wages to former assistants and part-time employees. Court documents and interviews also suggest a pattern of disturbing, sometimes bizarre behavior
- This is not the remorseful Mike Vick. At some point when you have these allegations, you have to handle them with care, and anger portrays guilt.
- More than Fame:
- More than a game, more than fame. These allegations, if true, show a pattern of disrespect for people in general, especially women.
Sources:
- https://sports.yahoo.com/report-antonio-brown-to-file-record-9-grievances-and-appeals-attempt-to-recoup-61-million-in-guarantees-153747674.html
- https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27726349/antonio-brown-poised-file-nfl-record-9-grievances-appeals
- https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/16/antonio-brown-new-england-patriots-lawsuits-accusations-sexual-midconduct-assault
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/09/20/antonio-brown-released-patriots-amid-sexual-assault-lawsuit/2389598001/
- https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/antonio-brown-facing-sexual-assault-allegations-cut-patriots/story?id=65757288
- https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/antonio-brown-accused-sexual-assault-rape-federal-lawsuit
- https://theathletic.com/1217495/2019/09/17/will-this-be-the-week-that-antonio-brown-is-placed-on-the-commissioners-exempt-list/
- https://www.nj.com/jets/2019/09/after-patriots-antonio-brown-harasses-alleged-victim-of-his-sexual-misconduct-nfl-must-take-him-off-the-field-immediately.html
- https://www.nj.com/sports/2019/09/patriots-antonio-browns-second-accuser-says-he-sent-intimidating-texts-to-her-what-did-he-allegedly-write.html
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2824516-antonio-brown-reportedly-traded-to-raiders-from-steelers-receives-new-contract
- https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/how-much-money-will-the-patriots-have-to-pay-antonio-brown
- https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/09/20/nfl-will-not-place-antonio-brown-on-exempt-list-as-long-as-hes-a-free-agent/
