The Gold Standard of the NFL
I need a break from Football. There has been so much ‘News’ circulating long before the NFL Season began, I can’t take anymore ‘Breaking Stories.’ It’s the downside of the 24/7 News cycle.
The latest problem is a clear example of why I miss the ol’ days of not needing to know everything that happens in NFL Locker Rooms. Yes, I’m talking about Wide-Receiver, Antonio Brown. Formerly the best Receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Probably, the Best Receiver in the National Football League.
Apparently, Antonio Brown took advantage of this assumed Title while in Pittsburgh by expecting ‘Star’ treatment. Perks that no one else would get except for him including being late to team meetings or having the Team’s airplane wait for his eventual arrival on travel days.
Sure. It’s understandable to have an ego when everyone knows you’re the best in the game. However, this Level of Talent comes with a Level of Responsibility. You’re not given Power to be served by others. You’re given Power to help others who don’t have as much.
During the 2019 off-season, Antonio Brown (“AB”) was traded to the Oakland Raiders. Now, I really don’t want to go into too much detail about all the commotion AB caused during his short time in Oakland. Yet, it includes not showing up for Team Meetings, refusing to wear an NFL authorized helmet, and threatening to punch the General Manager in the face.
Yeah.
Not to mention that the Raiders gave him $30 million dollars in guaranteed money, which is now ‘Void’ because the Contract is now Voided. After a Series of bizarre Tweets and Posts on Instagram, among other things, the Raiders cut Antonio before the Regular Season began. He did not play a single game for the Oakland Raiders.
Why?
Because Brown did not want to be there, in my humble opinion. He didn’t want to be in Pittsburgh, either. Not anymore. Not when the Organization finally became fed up with bowing to his demands. Pittsburgh was out. Oakland cut all ties with him.
It was time for AB to look in the mirror and ask himself why he was unemployed. He’d have time to reconsider his behavior. How could the best Receiver in the game be sitting home all Season long. The mere fact itself could force him to change his ways for the better.
Instead, he sat there without an NFL team for ..a few hours? Of course, NFL teams were expected to take a chance on Antonio Brown because teams are desperate. Like the Oakland Raiders, they need to give a shot of Hope and Enthusiasm to their fan base and Organization. Understandable.
Do you know what I don’t understand? Why AB was Signed by the New England Patriots. Yes, the New England Patriots who just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night by 30 points without Brown on the field. The Patriots who just won the Super Bowl in February becoming only the second team in NFL History to have SIX Championship Trophies.
They don’t need Antonio Brown. The fact is, most fans are tired of watching the Patriots in the Super Bowl. They just played against the Eagles in the Super Bowl in 2018. I can’t remember the last time they simply lost their Division, which is the worst Collection of teams in the League. Their Schedule this Season is pathetically easy to the point where people are wondering if they’re going to go Undefeated in the regular Season ..again.
This is the team that gave AB a one-year Contract with a $9 million dollar Signing Bonus and $20 million dollar 2-year Option depending on the team’s discretion. On top of that, I do not believe Brown will give New England problems because he wants to be there.
Barring Player Injury, the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl this Season. Even if AB gets put in the ‘dog house’ for Conduct Detrimental to the team, the Patriots will just sit him. They won’t give another team the opportunity to benefit from Brown’s Services ..and win the Super Bowl, anyway.
To be honest, I feel like New England validated his Behavior. It sends a message to kids that says the more Talent you have, the more you can get away with. With rude and reckless behavior, Antonio Brown forced his way out of Pittsburgh. Forced his way out of Oakland. And was rewarded after a few hours with a one-year Deal for $15 million dollars from the best Team in the NFL. Not to mention he’s still getting $21 million dollars from his previous Contract with the Steelers.
What is going on?
It’s not right. You cannot continue to mistreat people at every turn, then get what you want because you’re Talented. Sure, he’ll probably ‘behave’ in New England. He could even become the MVP of the team, the Super Bowl. That doesn’t make it right. The Life Lesson he avoided this time will come around, again. Why do I believe this?
Because Life has a funny way of teaching us whether we like it or not.
