In a year filled with disease, racial/social injustice, and other insane news stories, scrolling Twitter on this fine Monday afternoon to see that Antonio Brown has gone on another one of his rants. As my eyes begin to roll I read that this is not a regular AB rant. He is making an announcement. An announcement that made me do a double take.
This is.....interesting? Antonio Brown has been training with players like Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson during this quarantined offseason. There have been multiple reports linking him to the Seahawks and Ravens for a future signing when Goodell decides Brown should be allowed back into the league. Brown didn't even give Roger the chance to allow him back; he got tired of waiting.
Will this retirement last? Probably not. Brown is just a nuttier Brett Favre. Brown has been dealing with some legal trouble off the field and currently sits on the Commissioner's exempt list, a list of players who are banned from playing in the league due to off the field misconduct. Unfortunately, there are bigger issues in the league than this list. Brown realized this and decided to walk away.......for a bit.
Antonio Brown is not done. The man was entering the prime of his career, but the fame and "whole lotta money" filled his ego up so much that there's no more space for logic and rationality anymore. In his first and last game with the Patriots, Brown caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. That is with less than 2 weeks with the team to learn the playbook and being the WR4 on the depth chart with Jules, Josh Gordon and Phillip Dorsett ranking ahead of him.
Brown's numbers are video game type stats. From 2013-2018, Brown averaged 1,524 yards, 114 receptions and 11 touchdowns. That is a consistent WR1 not only in fantasy football, but in the actual NFL. He had six straight season of over 100 catches and over 1280 yards receiving. Are you kidding me? Say what you want about him off the field or how he is a looney toon, but the man can play ball.
He is the definition of a game changer when he steps on the field. He ranks higher than players like Michael Thomas, Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins for most seasons with over 100 catches and over 1000 yards. His route running ability should be documented in museums because of how smooth he runs them. His cuts look effortless. He catches look easy. His numbers are ridiculous.
I do not see this retirement lasting long. I believe the 2020 NFL season will be one to remember based on how the world has changed in just 4 months. Brown's "retirement" is just until this all blows over. He is involved in projects such as starring in music videos and gaining clout on social media. He is just social distancing himself from the NFL.
I wish AB nothing but the best and hope he does well in this next stage of his career. This is not a goodbye, it is a see you soon.
P.S This was Brown's last touchdown in the NFL. Such a different time.