Antonio Brown was arguably the best receiver in football until he got in his own way and became his own worst enemy. The former New England Patriots star wide out has nobody to blame but himself for why he’s no longer playing in the NFL.
Brown has definitely been on the receiving end on some huge hits throughout his career that resulted in concussions. One of the biggest of his career was when then-Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict viciously hit him helmet-to-helmet and resulted in a concussion.
And now it’s clear Antonio Brown must really have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) because the now-retired receiver thinks he’s entitled to $61 million despite his behavior.
Antonio Brown’s off-field antics over the last month has been the stuff of fiction. If a screenwriter gave this script to a producer then they would likely say this is too absurd for reality. But it is reality.
CTE shouldn’t be taken lightly and this degenerative brain disease is still in the early stages of being researched. The only thing we know is that it’s caused by repeated injuries to the brain, which produces a chemical that alters the behavior of an individual.
When San Diego Chargers hall of famer Junior Seau committed suicide, he gave up his brain to science and the doctors concluded it was one of the worst cases of CTE they had ever seen.
A lot of players, even those still playing, likely have CTE already developing even if it is a mild case of it thus far.
Now you could chalk Brown’s behavior over the last 10 months – forcing his way out of Pittsburgh in ugly fashion, forcing his way out of Oakland in ugly fashion and then only lasting on the New England Patriots for eleven days – as “well, that’s just Antonio Brown.” On one hand you think he’s just a self-righteous arrogant delusional weirdo. On the other hand, you could think maybe this guy needs serious help.
But if Brown really thinks he’s entitled to $61 million worth of contract (and guaranteed) money by the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots then whether it’s CTE or delusion – he has lost his ever-loving mind.
Brown has now officially issued EIGHT grievances and appeals against his former teams which includes:
• Fine appeals with the Oakland Raiders: $215,000
• Salary guarantees with Oakland: $29 million
• Signing bonus with Raiders: $1 million
• Oakland’s unpaid Week 1 salary: $860,000
• New England Patriots’ salary guarantee: $1 million
• Patriots signing bonus: $9 million
• Patriots’ unpaid Week 3 salary: $64,000
• Patriots’ option year in 2020: $20 million
That equates to approximately $61 million.
Brown’s guaranteed contract with the Raiders was voided due to “conduct detrimental to the team,” for missing two practices and getting in a verbal confrontation with general manager Mike Mayock where he called him a “cracker” and stormed off the field.
Two days later, he was released from the Raiders altogether.
That same day, the New England Patriots signed him to a $15 million contract with $9 million signing bonus.
Eleven days later he was released because during his short tenure, he threatened a painter over text who accused Brown of sexually assaulting her while she was commissioned to paint several years ago.
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back for the Patriots.
Brown won’t receive a dime from the Raiders. But he will likely get the $9 million signing bonus from the Patriots even after releasing him before he was due the first half of that money.
But that’s it. That’s all he should be “entitled” to and even that is a stretch for obvious reasons. And for all those reasons, he’ll probably never suit up again whether he likes it or not.