There is a new #longread about the brief time former NFL receiver Antonio Brown spent as the owner of an indoor football team as the final Sunday before the non-Pro Bowl unfolds. Brown made investments in the Albany Empire, which he afterwards seized control of. The franchise was completely destroyed under his leadership.
Other than the fact that ESPN.com felt forced to dedicate so much time and words to such a sad, expected, and worn subject, nothing in the ESPN.com report is surprising. Brown turned it into a T-shirt as soon as he found out JuJu Smith-Schuster, not him, had been awarded the Steelers’ 2018 team MVP.
Brown’s nightmarish end to his career
From his attempt to agitate his way out of Pittsburgh, to his frozen feet and ill-fitting helmet with the Raiders, to his attempt to agitate his way out of Oakland, to his brief stint with the Patriots, to his short-lived salvation with the Buccaneers, to his striptease farewell at MetLife Stadium, and plenty of other things (lawsuits, sexual-assault allegations, a suspension, criminal assault charges, and more), Brown has had what should.
As a result of his numerous unpredictable prior behaviors, Brown made his final exit from football in the spring. Surprisingly (really, not), Brown made poor decisions, didn’t pay his expenses, and issued empty threats to anybody who dared to confront him.
He insisted that the squad practise in Albany, which cost $1.5 million in workers’ compensation. The strangest part of the new tale comes when players confront Brown about how the team neglected to properly honor Mo Ruffins, a former offensive lineman for the Empire who passed away in 2022.
After a heated exchange, Brown is said to have asked an assistant, “Hey, man, you still got the AR in the car? Get it now.” Brown also took offence when athletes demanded compensation for their labor. There is supposedly still money outstanding, and lawsuit may be forthcoming.
My CTE acting up Fuck all y’all whoever played on my name
— AB (@AB84) August 28, 2023
The only real question is whether Brown has chronic traumatic encephalopathy, as he recently stated on social media, or if he has an incurable case of asshole-itis. If the former, we pray he finally receives the assistance he requires. whether the latter, please let me know whether there is a cure. (#AskingForAFriend.)
