In a clear sign of reality setting in, former NFL superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown begged his dwindling number of fans to encourage the New England Patriots to re-sign him.
Brown’sonce-inevitable journeyto the Hall of Fame appears to have come to an abrupt conclusion, and sadly, only now is he realizing his football career is flashing before his eyes.
Antonio Brown’s Reputation Is Too Far Gone for NFL Return
There has never been any question about Antonio Brown’s generational abilities as a football player . His potential to be an all-time great was evident to anyone who could read astat sheet. Unfortunately, snowballing legal issues and allegations ofbizarre and improper behaviorhave stricken his legacy.
Brown’s return to the NFL was always going to be difficult. No team will touch him until the league completes its investigation, with which he has refused to comply. As he now attemptsto sue both the Patriots and Oakland Raiders, even the most desperate of teams might not want to take a gamble on AB.
This latest video demonstrates that this reality might be finally penetrating theego that has so far proven impermeableto even the most basic humility that
Two counts of sexual assault allegations are ahigh bar to overcome for any player. For Antonio Brown, these allegations hit at a time when the entire NFL community was already berating him for strange behavior that appeared to be specifically targeted at getting the Raiders to release him.
Indiscretions at a deposition over hissmashing up a condoadded yet another layer to a deteriorating public perception that made his chances of playing his way intoCantoneven smaller.
Patriots Would Never Risk Brown Circus Derailing Their Season
What are Brown’s chances of rejoining the Patriots? Practically zero. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have dealt with theirfair share of controversy, and they know that AB’s presence would derail some momentum from theirincredibly solid start to the 2019 NFL season.
Additionally, New England’s owner,Robert Kraft, certainly doesn’t need the hassle.
Future NFL stars and their friends and families should be taking notes from Brown on how not to handle controversy. All it would have taken was a strong presence around the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers star toshut him down on social mediaand, at the very least, keep him out of the headlines.
Maybe Antonio Brown’s self-destructive capabilities are too strong, or perhaps he’s surrounded by yes-men. Either way, it will be easier for him to squeeze through the eye of a needle than return to the New England Patriots in this lifetime.
This article was edited byJosiah Wilmoth.
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