Antonio Brown Called Out for Referencing Nipsey Hussle After Patriots Release

The athlete shared a photo of Nipsey alongside a bell hooks quote about power.

Antonio Brown
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Image via Getty/Michael Reaves

Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown has had an eventful day, to say the least.

The embattled receiver was released from the New England Patriots on Friday, less than two weeks after he signed with the reigning Super Bowl champions. Brown's departure follows months of both on-field and off-field controversies, including sexual assault allegations levied by his former trainer. 

"The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown," the team wrote in a statement. "We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time."

Brown addressed his release in a series of tweets Friday afternoon. The 31-year-old expressed his gratitude toward New England and made questionable references to the late Nipsey Hussle. One of the tweets included a black-and-white photo of the slain rapper along with a bell hooks quote: "Sometimes people try to destroy you precisely because they recognize your power; Not because they don't see it, but because they see it and they don't want it to exist."

The marathon continues

— AB (@AB84) September 20, 2019

To no one's surprise, the Nipsey references didn't go over too well with NFL fans. Many accused Brown of trying to play the victim, while others criticized him for being self-aggrandizing. 

You can read some of the reactions to Browns' Nipsey tweets below.

Don’t be using a legend to help ur innocence you wild stallion. You shoulda just played ball instead of bugging out. And now ur OUT coulda shoulda woulda been the best WR in the history books but you stole from people who trusted you #bye✌🏽aB got stung

— RabbitDrew (@Drudown79) September 20, 2019

You aren’t anything compared this guy...

— anna-alicia 🌺 (@bhlooms) September 20, 2019

Except Nipsey was a saint and your a damn fool pic.twitter.com/xKZINoLLvG

— Joe Martino (@jmart_07) September 20, 2019

That’s a weird way to spell investigation

— andrew (@_AndrewStauffer) September 20, 2019

Bro nipsey would never support you. He was a real one. And in the streets your a no good cat. And in jail. Well let's just say your be alone in your cell for your own protection. Pathetic

— NOKCHEVY (@NOKCHEVY_) September 20, 2019

Quit using Nipsey as a portrayal of what you are going through. Y’all aren’t the same... he wouldn’t fw you! @AB84 🤡🤡🤡 https://t.co/mMgq7YakCk

— Logan Thompson (@Logan_BEB) September 20, 2019

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