The enigmatic Antonio Brown’s career seemed absolutely over, but like the Phoenix, the receiver rose from the ashes with a little help.
After essentially forcing his departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he arrived at the then Oakland Raiders where, before even playing an official game, he repeatedly complained about his helmet and argued publicly with general manager Mike Mayock. The Raiders got tired and after some positive pressure from Tom Brady, the New England Patriots gave the catcher another chance.
Then the allegations of sexual harassment came and the patriots decided to drop it. In fact, for the same episode, the NFL decided to suspend him for the first eight games of the season.
A train wreck was more subtle than the incredible list of problems Brown has had over the years.
The fights with his former personal chief, the public shouting with the police, the outbursts on social media, and the burnt feet from too much cryotherapy seem to be just ornaments in the midst of tumultuous years that reminded us of a Brown was in ill health. at that moment.
We cared about him and his NFL career seemed to be a thing of the past. Not because he lacked talent, because he had enough, but because his “maturity” left much to be desired.
Few players have more influence than Brady, who now keeps the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within a second title win in club history.
When the quarterback raised his hand, the arrival of Rob Grownkowski became a reality, and when he put his reputation on the line again for Brown, Tampa Bay made the unpopular decision to hire him and give the catcher another chance.
“I believe in second chances,” said Bruce Arians, Buccaneers’ head coach.
Rather, it’s fourth or fifth in the NFL for Brown, who seems to have realized that the chance the Buccaneers gave him seemed to be his last.
Brady opened the doors of his house to him, and Brown lived with the quarterback for a few days.
The Buccaneers had one of the most hosting groups in the NFL, but they saw Brown as “a high-ceilinged insurance policy.”
At the time, both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were battling injuries, and having Brown on catholes for the second half of the season brought relief to Tampa Bay as long as he didn’t run into additional sporting trouble.
In fairness to Brown, who has been criticized several times, that has not happened.
Brown has been a model citizen and understood that he had only one more chance, thanks to his powerful and influential friend. In response to that confidence, Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowl roster, led the Buccaneers in passes to him in the last five weeks of the regular season with 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
Brown was only able to play 27 times in the Divisional Round against the New Orleans Saints with a knee injury that caused him to miss the NFC Championship Game, but after much treatment the signs are positive and it is hoped he will be able to play. Kansas City Chiefs.
The Buccaneers were so impressed with Brown’s behavior, with whom they signed a one-year contract, that they had already expressed an interest in having him back next season.
As a result of his troubled track record, future deals are likely to stay in effect for a year and be full of behavioral clauses, but the simple fact that Brown gets the chance to play a Super Bowl should come as a surprise.
He was personally convinced his NFL career was over, but the Buccaneers contacted him and now he has a chance to win his first ring, something he was denied in his first season when he made it to the Super Bowl with the Steelers.
‘I know this is my last chance. It is the last and I plan to use it, ”said Brown.