UNITED STATES—Antonio Brown took to social media on Monday, September 23 to announce he was re-enrolling at Central Michigan University just one day after tweeting he would not be playing in the NFL anymore.
Brown, 31, has been in the spotlight for his impressive career, but has faced roadblocks in his career. A sixth round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, Brown helped the team advance to Super Bowl XLV, but they lost to the Green Bay Packers.
During his second season, Brown became the first player in NFL history to have more than 1,000 yards receiving and returning in the same year. He was selected as a punt returner for the 2012 Pro Bowl due to his impressive stats as a rookie on the field. In 2013, Brown became the only receiver in NFL history to record five receptions and at least 50 yards in every single game of an NFL season. He garnered more receptions and receiving yards than any other player since he entered the NFL.
Brown continued to deliver impressive stats for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but allegedly had issues with Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Along with possible tension in the locker room, he began skipping practices and was benched. Brown later requested to be traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2019. He missed 10 of 11 training camp practices due to blisters on his feet.
In August 2019, Brown made headlines again after threatening to retire from the NFL if he was not allowed to wear his old helmet, despite being told the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) “will not certify any helmet that is more than 10 years old,” according to Pro Football Talk. His request was continuously denied and Brown continued to skip practices with the Oakland Raiders.
The NFL athlete was fined for his unexcused absences and along with posting these fines on social media, the football star confronted Mike Mayock, the General Manager of the Oakland Raiders, with a verbal altercation.
On September 7, Brown was released by the Raiders just hours before his 2019 salary would have become guaranteed. On the same day, Brown agreed to a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
Brown officially made his Patriots debut in week 2 against the Miami Dolphins where he caught 4 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in a 43–0 win.
On September 10, Brown’s former trainer, Britney Taylor, filed a civil suit in Miami against the NFL player accusing him of sexual assault in 2017 and 2018 that allegedly occurred in Pennsylvania and Miami.
On September 20, further allegations surfaced, including Brown sending intimidating text messages to his accuser. He was later cut by the New England Patriots. Two days later, Brown took to Twitter to announce his retirement from the NFL.
Brown attended Central Michigan University from 2007-2009, until he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the NFL Draft.