19 April 2023 , 14:07
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Antonio Brown might be one of the greatest receivers in NFL history, but unfortunately, his career is likely now going to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
One of the best route runners to ever play the game, Brown had dominated for 10 years - registering over 13,000 receiving yards and 94 touchdowns. And while he was loved on the field, he had seemingly been loved off of it, too - coming across as an extremely likeable character with a constant smile on his face.
But after forcing his way out of both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders, before being cut from the New England Patriots amid serious legal accusations - Brown quickly went from loveable to highly controversial.
After being kicked off the aforementioned three teams in less than a year, Brown's NFL career looked to be over.
He was alleged to have sent intimidating text messages to one of his accusers of sexual and personal misconduct. Brown settled the case outside of court, and was given an eight-game suspension by the NFL.
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Brown would initially struggle to find a new team willing to take him until Tom Brady convinced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to sign him - with the quarterback even letting Brown live in his house for a period of time.
The two would become close friends, going on to win a Super Bowl together that season. However, their friendship deteriorated with the wide receiver continuing to cause trouble within the team. The following season, Brown refused to enter the game and undressed on the field before leaving the arena. He was cut from the team, with the receiver having a number of harsh words for Brady. And Brown has now stated why he turned on Brady.
Tom Brady and Antonio Brown struck up an unlikely friendship, which ended up sour (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)Speaking on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, Brown said: "Now when we get the ring in 2021, the next year I’m the last guy that signed. My agent, Ed Wasielewski, is getting called, cursed out by Tom Brady over why is he pushing back for the contract for scraps.
"Imagine if you heard that, the same guy that brought you in to win a ring, the same agent he told you to hook up with to get the deal, is not telling me, the guy’s calling him, saying, yo, cursing him out about scraps of a contract.
"So when you’re an older player, you getting deals like that, you feel like, and I’m telling, my agent’s telling me already before the season that this guy, who he hooked me up with, is calling him, cussing him out about the contract."
Brown did end up re-signing that season - his final year in the league which lead to the infamous moment against the New York Jets.