Douchebag of the Week: Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown had the most Antonio Brown exit to what will most likely be his last NFL game. If you didn’t have “Antonio Brown quitting and leaving midgame with his shirt off” as the free space on your bingo card, then your card must be fake.

A distraught Antonio Brown threw off his jersey and shoulder pads on the Buccaneers sideline, then proceeded to throw his undershirt and gloves in the stands as he walked off the field and towards the locker room.

Brown was picked up by Danny Boy Hustle Hard, a NY driver who has connections with several top athletes, including Brown, Odell Beckham Jr, and Brooks Koepka. According to the driver in his interview on Monday's episode of Pardon my Take, Brown initially planned to take a flight back to Tampa Bay after he left MetLife, but changed his mind due to the attention he would receive from the public while in the airport and on the flight. Brown stayed in New York overnight and was seen courtside at the Nets game, just a week after a salute from Kevin Durant on Twitter.

Head Coach Bruce Arians was quick to announce that Brown was no longer a Buccaneer in his post-game press conference. Brown did not practice Thursday and Friday due to an ankle injury. Arians told Jay Glazer of Fox Sports that Brown refused to go back into the game. He believed he was not healthy enough to play. Arians told Brown that if he did not want to play than they did not want him on their sidelines.

I don’t believe Arians wanted Antonio Brown on his team in the first place. Arians has prior experience with Brown in Pittsburgh and knows the headaches that come with his worldly talent. When Brown first signed with the Buccaneers in October of 2020, Arians commented, “He screws up one time, he’s gone”. Brown was exposed for submitting a fake vaccination card by a former chef after Brown refused to pay him. The chef claimed Brown asked him to get fake cards for Brown and his girlfriend, and the NFL confirmed the card provided was fake. Brown was suspended three games, but not cut by the team.

Tom Brady showed compassion for his teammate and friend in his post-game press conference.

Brady also commented again on the situation on his “Let’s Go” podcast with Jim Gray. “We’ve obviously been teammates and I would just say I love him, I care about him, and I have a lot of compassion. I have a lot of empathy for the things that are happening in his life,” Brady said.

Teams will make any deal with the devil to win games. Antonio Brown may be the highest risk/reward player in the league, and there are teams still willing to take that risk if Brown can help them succeed. Antonio Brown does not belong in the league. You can’t quit on your team in the middle of a game and expect more chances. Brown has had more than enough shots to redeem himself. Any team giving him another chance is setting themselves up to get burned.