Controversies aside, Antonio Brown is one of the best wide receivers of his generation. There was nothing he couldn’t do on the football field. Problem is, Brown’s antics are always getting him in trouble and,
After re-escalating a longtime feud with former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in recent days, Brown got into an online altercation with two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel who retired in 2013.
Brown initiated the fight by alleging Samuel was trying to be like him on social media. He questioned Samuel’s achievements in the NFL, angering the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback and inciting a new feud.
Asante Samuel Tears Into ‘Crazy’ Antonio Brown
Brown took shots at Samuel in an X post on May 1, seemingly over his comments that he was a better cornerback than Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Brown argued that Samuel was trying to be like him on the internet without having achieved anything in his career.
“Asante Samuel. Tryin clown ppl online like he me. Couldn’t even carry my jock strap. What has Asante done after nfl career? Try be clown online… Try tear down who ppl vote for … How that working out for him?? 😂 Stick to what u good at… which is???,” his post read.
It was always going to anger Samuel, an active talker on social media, constantly throwing his accomplishments out there as an argument for why he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Predictably, Samuel seized the moment to throw shade at Brown’s controversial off-field antics.
“If Mike Tomlin never babied you @AB84 NFL would’ve been an after thought. You couldn’t survive anywhere else. The Steelers organization and players allowed you to act crazy. Lucky you never played on my team. You would’ve been dealt with immediately and not by the coach. Facts,” he wrote.
If Mike Tomlin never babied you @AB84 NFL would’ve been an after thought. You couldn’t survive anywhere else. The Steelers organization and players allowed you to act crazy. Lucky you never played on my team. You would’ve been dealt with immediately and not by the coach. Facts!
— Asante Samuel (@pick_six22)
Samuel was referring to the sharp decline in Brown’s career following the end of his stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 when he demanded a trade. He ended up with the then-Oakland Raiders for a brief stint before a bizarre incident with frostbitten feet infringed on his legacy. His presence, or lack thereof, at training sessions became a constant distraction to the Raiders’ organization.
Brown’s behavior became increasingly erratic, marked by a bizarre helmet dispute along with verbal and physical altercations with general manager Mike Mayock. His decision to air grievances on social media—especially regarding fines—only escalated an already volatile situation. Brown demanded to be released before Week 1 of the 2019 season.
Eventually, Brown was signed by the New England Patriots and subsequently cut over reports of sexual misconduct. Then, he spent nearly two seasons in Tampa Bay before ending his Buccaneers’ tenure on a bad note when he left the team mid-game.
Nevertheless, Brown’s contribution for the Steelers was exemplary. Throughout his nine seasons at Pittsburgh, he totaled 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns in the regular season, while earning four All-Pro selections and seven trips to the Pro Bowl.
