(ESPN)
We've all seen the unforgettable downfall of Antonio Brown, but what's the real story behind it? In this article, I'll break down the wild journey of Antonio Brown and try to make sense of it all.
During the mid-2010s, Antonio Brown ruled the football field with his impeccable route-running and catching skills, establishing himself as one of the greatest in his position. Unfortunately, a severe concussion changed everything. While his performance on the field wasn't the problem, it was his off-field decisions that began raising concerns among NFL fans, leaving them to question his sanity. So, how did it all unfold?
Let's rewind to the start. In a 2016 playoff match between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Antonio Brown faced a brutal hit from linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Following an overthrown ball, Burfict lowered his shoulder, making contact with Brown's head. The result was a frightening scene as Brown lay motionless on the ground. This entirely illegal and unnecessary hit led to a pivotal penalty by Burfict that led to a game-winning kick for the Steelers.
After being diagnosed with a concussion, Brown made a comeback the following season and continued to shine, relieving anxious Steelers fans. But oh boy, were they in for a surprise. The next season marked AB's real downfall. Before the season even started, stories spread about him tossing furniture off his balcony, nearly hitting a 2-year-old (Bleacher Report). And that's not all – he got into more trouble by getting caught driving at over 100 mph later that same season (CBS News). Despite his impressive stats and the Steelers doing well, cracks in the relationship between AB and the team started showing. AB had been butting heads with veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger all season. And then, when the Steelers were about to play a must win game to secure a playoff spot, Brown shocked everyone by showing up ready to play after skipping practices all week. But guess what? Tomlin benched him (CBS Sports). Fans were left scratching their heads – Brown had been having a killer season, and the Steelers were right on the brink of the playoffs.
In 2019, Brown shook things up by requesting a trade, landing him with the Oakland Raiders. But before the season even kicked off, he began racking up fines due to missed practices and meetings, and the final straw for the Raiders came when AB reportedly threatened their GM, Mike Mayock (Bleacher Report). This led to Brown not playing a single snap for the Raiders, soon finding a new home with the New England Patriots. Non-Patriots fans were nervous about the powerhouse duo of AB and Tom Brady, but those hopes were squashed as Brown got cut from the Patriots just weeks later due to sexual assault allegations (New York Times). At this point, it was clear to NFL fans that something was seriously amiss. What was driving AB's baffling decisions? Was he going insane?
In what seemed like a fitting finale to his career, Brown teamed up once again with Brady, this time on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they clinched a Super Bowl victory. Fans hoped this marked Brown's return to form, but the script took another twist. In Week 17 of the 2022 NFL season, during a game against the New York Jets, disaster struck. Out of the blue, Antonio Brown shed his pads, tossed them into the crowd, and bolted off the field. It was a crazy scene, leaving fans utterly stunned. How could a player who was once considered as one of the greatest receivers suddenly resort to running off the field midway through a game just a few years later?
It is believed that Antonio Brown might have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition triggered by repeated traumatic brain injuries, and exacerbated by the inherently physical nature of American football that ranks it highest in reported CTE cases. Typical symptoms include memory lapses, confusion, impaired judgment, impulsivity, aggression, and depression, among others. Worth noting is that CTE effects don't surface immediately, often taking years or decades to show (Mayo Clinic).
So, what's going on in the brain to cause this havoc? Those recurrent head injuries cause a surge in enzyme activity, which in turn leads to the accumulation of a protein called TAU. This build-up of TAU is detrimental to brain cells responsible for memory and learning, leading to their damage. Over time, this harm spreads across the brain, which explains why symptoms worsen progressively (Mayo Clinic).
While many point towards CTE as a possible explanation for Brown's behavior, diagnosing it in a living person is impossible. This has led to alternate theories emerging. Some believe that Brown's personality might have always leaned this way, and that the influence of money and fame catalyzed a change in his actions.
And there you have it, the rollercoaster ride of Antonio Brown's career. From blazing touchdowns to bewildering controversies, his journey has kept us all hooked. While the idea of CTE sheds some light on the chaos, the full story is just as elusive as Brown was in his prime. It's a reminder that life, even for the sports stars we cheer for, is a wild mix of triumphs and struggles. So as we unpack the mystery that is Antonio Brown, let's remember that beyond the spotlight of the game, there's a real person dealing with challenges, just like the rest of us.