Tag: Antonio Brown

Former Steelers All-Pro WR shoots down comparisons to Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

Mike Evans surpasses Antonio Brown for 25th in career receiving yards, prompting a mix of praise and humor from the former Steelers star.

Congratulations are in order for Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans, who recently entered the top 25 in career receiving yards after a stellar Week 15 performance. Evans racked up 159 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. However, one former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro wide receiver didn’t take too kindly to being surpassed by Evans.

Antonio Brown, who previously held the number 25 spot in career receiving yards, was overtaken by Evans’ 12,429 receiving yards. Brown was quick to remind fans that his path to NFL success was far more difficult than Evans’. He highlighted that he put up historic numbers despite being a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, while Evans was selected in the first round.

In a hilarious twist, despite congratulating Evans, Brown pointed out how much longer it took the Buccaneers WR to surpass him: “Took him 30 more games.”

At this point, it seems fans are comparing apples to oranges when it comes to Evans and Brown. However, Evans’ resilience in maintaining a high level of play for so long is commendable.

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4 NFL players who quit on their teams midgame, from De’Vondre Campbell to Antonio Brown

Some players have really quit in the middle of games.

It’s a rare but wild situation for all involved: a player in the middle of an NFL game suddenly quits on the team and leaves for the locker room.

The head coach is left without words — or, very strong words — and teammates are usually irate, and rightfully so.

Well, as of publishing this, it’s happened for a fourth documented time, with San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell apparently refusing to come back into a game on a Thursday night in Week 15 of the 2024 season. He then headed for the locker room later in the contest.

Who else pulled this move? Let’s run through them:

Mike Wallace

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports 

The receiver was with the Dolphins in 2014 and apparently refused to take the field and was benched. Wallace denied it and played more in the NFL beyond that year.

Vontae Davis

Sep 16, 2018; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive back Vontae Davis (22) and defensive back Micah Hyde (23) celebrate making a stop on third down during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports 

The late cornerback pulled himself out of a Buffalo Bills game in 2018 and basically retired right then. It was something teammates talked about after.

Antonio Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) on the field before the game against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium.

In 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout stripped off his top and danced his way off the field against the New York Jets. That was that for the receiver with the Bucs and in the NFL.

De’Vondre Campbell

The Niners linebacker refused to go into the game against the Rams and left for the locker room in the fourth quarter.

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Fans react to former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson’s suspension

Fans hilariously react to Diontae Johnson’s suspension, reflecting on his struggles and Mike Tomlin’s ability to manage wide receivers.

2024 has not been kind to former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. From being traded off two NFL teams to becoming practically nonexistent in the Ravens’ dynamic offense, and now being suspended one game for refusing to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 matchup against the Eagles, one has to wonder: is Steelers HC Mike Tomlin not getting enough credit for his handling of dramatic wide receivers?

Fans of the Black and Gold have seen their fair share of diva-esque meltdowns and dramatic moments from wide receivers like Johnson, Antonio Brown, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and George Pickens, to name a few. However, under Tomlin’s regime, neither Johnson nor any of the other receivers were ever allowed to implode to this degree.

Johnson should view this suspension as a blessing in disguise, giving him a chance to reflect on his recent behavior and return to competing for playing time on an NFL team—rather than potentially following in the footsteps of other disgruntled receivers no longer in the league.  Here are several of the best fan reactions to Johnson’s recent suspension from the Baltimore Ravens.

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Remember the last time the Bucs played at the Meadowlands in 2022?

The team and fans around the world were given a front-seat viewing of the antics of Antonio Brown on the NFL stage one last time. 

History in the NFL can bring back some fun and random memories for its fans, regardless of the team you root for. In the case of the Tamp Bay Buccaneers, their return to the Meadowlands to play the New York Giants marks the first time the team has played at Metlife Stadium since 2022.

In that previous game, the team and fans around the world were given a front-seat viewing of Antonio Brown’s antics on the NFL stage one last time.

In that game in January 2022, we saw Antonio Brown ripping his gear off, including his jersey and undershirt, and throwing it into the crowd. He then proceeded to run across the endzone while the game was in play, into the tunnel, and out of the stadium.

As Jon Ledyard points out on X, Tom Brady was forced to finish that game with Tyler Johnson and Cyril Grayson. Despite that receiving corp, Brady was able to lead a comeback win and managed the rest of the season just fine with Brown on the team.

Former Steelers All-Pro WR teases return to Pittsburgh on social media

Antonio Brown teased on social media that he still hopes to rejoin the Steelers in 2024, and even offered to play for free.

The Antonio Brown-Pittsburgh redemption story continues! While fans of the Steel City were ecstatic to welcome back the former All-Pro WR and fellow member of the Killer B’s trio, former Steelers All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell, no one could have predicted that Brown still yearns to play for the Black and Gold in 2024.

It appears Brown wasn’t satisfied with simply representing the Black and Gold as a spectator during his Week 7 return to Pittsburgh. Brown stated on social media that his offer to finish out the 2024 season as a member of the Steelers roster still stands.

No one can deny the threat that a Russell Wilson-led Steelers offense would pose with A.B., George Pickens, and Mike Williams tearing through opposing secondaries.

Should General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin take a chance on the 36-year-old wide receiver? His untimely and shocking exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their Week 17 game of the 2021 season was the last time his talents graced an NFL field, but he has recently done his best to turn over a new leaf.

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Steelers’ HOF safety returning to Pittsburgh in Week 11

2020 Hall of Fame inductee S Donnie Shell has been confirmed to be in attendance for Pittsburgh’s Week 11 contest against Baltimore.

Plenty of familiar faces have returned to the city of Pittsburgh this season to watch their former team and participate in pre-game tailgate activities with fans. Former Steelers such as WR Antonio Brown, RB Le’Veon Bell, and K Jeff Reed have all attended the Terrible Tailgate—an amazing fan-organized tailgate experience for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

On social media, the Terrible Tailgate has announced that on November 17th, Week 11’s home game versus the Baltimore Ravens, the game will feature an extra special guest for fans to meet—2020 Hall of Fame safety Donnie Shell. 

While initially teasing the mystery HOF guest, the Terrible Tailgate provided fans with exactly who the Steelers legend in question is through the ticket sales information.

Shell was a vital part of the legendary Steel Curtain defense in the 1970s, helping the team win four Super Bowl during his tenure with the team.  Donnie ‘Torpedo’ Shell was one of the hardest-hitting safeties the NFL has ever seen, and is beloved to Pittsburgh fans all over the world.

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Did Pittsburgh find their WR2 in Week 8’s victory over the NY Giants?

Calvin Austin stepped up in a major way for the Steelers in their Week 8 victory—potentially solidifying his position as the team’s WR2.

In the past decade, most, if not all, of the Steelers’ top receivers started out as dynamic punt returners. Steelers receivers such as Antonio Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson all were incredibly successful as punt returners, eventually blossoming into phenomenal receivers for Pittsburgh. One receiver from Week 8 seemingly had his career breakout game and turning point, as WR Calvin Austin electrified both the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams unit. 

In the third quarter of his team’s contest, with the score tied 9-9, Austin knew he needed to make a splash play. He proceeded to step up when the team needed him most, returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. He further solidified his position as WR2 when he caught a 29-yard TD reception from QB Russell Wilson, his second touchdown of the night. 

Much speculation and trade rumors have been made over the Steelers necessity of an elite-caliber receiver opposite WR1 George Pickens, but scoring twice on the night and accumulating 54 receiving yards on just three receptions should prove why Austin is the WR2 Pittsburgh has been looking for. 

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Former Steelers All-Pro WR asks Tom Brady for forgiveness

Antonio Brown’s redemption story is nearing its conclusion, as the former Steelers’ All-Pro WR asked Tom Brady for forgiveness on Tuesday.

Love is in the air for Antonio Brown, as not only did the former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro receiver begin to mend his relationship with the city of Pittsburgh, but Brown also reached out to his former quarterback on the Patriots and Buccaneers, Tom Brady, for forgiveness.

Brown burned a lot of bridges towards the end of his career but appears to be trying to make things right in his retirement from football.

Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, pulled a lot of strings to bring AB onto the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, just in time for them to win Super Bowl LV together. TB12 had even let Brown live with him during their time in Tampa Bay, and while the receiver had a polarizing exit to say the least, it appears Brown and Brady wish to put that behind them.

Only time will tell, but fans would enjoy seeing the former receiver reunite with another former QB of his, Ben Roethlisberger, whether at a game or even on the QB’s podcast in the near future.

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Former Steelers’ RB has 3-word response to Pickens’ Week 7 performance

Former Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell quickly took to social media to remind everyone just how great George Pickens will be under Russell Wilson.

Former Steelers All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell made headlines this week as he and former Steelers All-Pro WR Antonio Brown attended Pittsburgh’s Week 7 Sunday Night Football game against the New York Jets.

In the buildup to the game, one of the key storylines surrounding the ‘Steel City’ was the controversial quarterback switch initiated by Head Coach Mike Tomlin. While some fans were confused and frustrated by the polarizing decision, Bell stated that Steelers WR George Pickens would look better than ever under the new starting quarterback, Russell Wilson.

After Pickens produced 111 yards and one touchdown on just 5 catches, Bell took to social media to give the Wilson and Steelers doubters a piece of his mind.

His response, while simple, speaks volumes to every Steelers doubter heading into Week 7. While many in the ‘Steel City’ will likely rescind their previous predictions about the team’s future, the new Steelers quarterback, Russell Wilson, would probably respond to doubters with the same three words as Bell: ‘I told you.’

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Antonio Brown arrives in Pittsburgh for Week 7, Le’Veon Bell is next

Announcing last week his plans to return for Week 7’s game, Antonio Brown has touched down in Pittsburgh on Friday, will Bell coming soon.

Last week, former Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown made headlines as he announced his return to Pittsburgh for Week 7. Speculation ran rampant, but it was later revealed that he and former Steelers teammate, All-Pro RB Le’Veon Bell, would attend Pittsburgh’s Week 7 contest against the New York Jets.

The pair were also present at the game and the Terrible Tailgate in Las Vegas when the Steelers traveled to take on the Raiders in Week 6.

On Friday, AB confirmed his arrival in the ‘Steel City’ on social media, with Bell replying that he too would be next.

The nostalgia and memories the ‘Killer B’s’ created are enough to make any grown Steelers fan emotional, but excitement is in the air as two of the greatest NFL playmakers from the past decade return to root for the team they love. While polarizing, to say the least, it is heartwarming to see the two formerly disgruntled players put aside their differences with the team to return to Pittsburgh.

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