The last time we published a timeline like this, we thought the Antonio Brown drama had reached its peak. Not even close.
The troubled wide out keeps attracting trouble, and his saga grows more bizarre by the day. His 2019 was one of the most unusual years any well-known athlete has had in recent memory and his 2020 is already shaping up to be just as head-scratching.
Heading into the 2019 season, Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders, had a falling out with the team (in particular, GM Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden) over a mysterious cryotherapy injury and befuddling helmet issue, and was released.
He signed with the New England Patriots and looked like a natural fit in the offense, but only played in one game—an explosive Sports Illustrated report that brought troubling allegations and character flaws to light led to the reigning Super Bowl champs releasing him as well.
Sound like a lot to digest? It is. But things haven’t even slightly calmed down since then.
Here’s a look at the biggest news stories surrounding Antonio Brown since the Patriots released him Sept. 20, 2019.
It didn’t appear to actually be the SI story itself that led to Brown’s release from New England, but rather his response to the story. Brown allegedly sent menacing text messages to one of the accusers who had shared her perspective in the report, pushing New England to cut him.
After his release, Brown took to social media—a common theme throughout this wacky story—to voice his frustrations. He first called out the NFL, saying he wouldn’t play in the league anymore.
Will not be playing in the @NFL anymore these owners can cancel deals do whatever they want at anytime we will see if the @NFLPA hold them accountable sad they can just void guarantees anytime going on 40m 2 months will see if they pay up !
— AB (@AB84) September 22, 2019
He also chastised Pats owner Robert Kraft. In a since-deleted tweet referencing Kraft’s charges of soliciting a prostitute in Jupiter, Florida, Brown wrote: “Kraft got caught in the parlor AB speculations fired different strokes different folks clearly ????????”
Two months later, regretting his emotional tweet storm, he issued an apology to Kraft and the Pats.
Mr.Kraft I apologize sincerely to you and your organization! All I wanted to be was an asset to the organization; sorry for the bad media and the drama ! Thank you sincerely AB pic.twitter.com/oWJCwkrpjk
— AB (@AB84) November 19, 2019
Being released twice and not playing this season has seriously hurt AB’s bankroll. He is looking to get back about $40 million in lost salary, bonuses and guarantees. He has reportedly filed eight grievances against the Raiders and Pats through the NFL Players Association.
A report indicated his appeal likely won’t be heard until the spring and “it figures to be a major uphill battle to recoup the entire sum.” The biggest thing he’s after: his contractual guarantees, which were to add up to $29 million in 2019 and 2020.
Brown met with three representatives from the NFL in Florida to discuss the sexual assault allegations levied against him. The meeting reportedly lasted eight hours, so it sure seemed to be thorough.
The conversation took place as the 31-year-old was being investigated under the league’s personal conduct policy. The NFL did not place him on the commissioner’s exempt list while he was a free agent, and his fate in the league remains uncertain.
But what type of suspension he could face—A few games? A full season?—will only become relevant if a team actually decides to take the risk of signing him. Late in September, the NFL issued a statement saying: "If he is signed by a club, such placement [on the exempt list] may become appropriate at any time depending on the status of the investigation. ... Upon the conclusion of the investigation, he may also be subject to discipline if the investigation finds that he has violated the law or league policies."
At this point, the extent of his punishment seems to be simply “TBD.” But we may never find out what the league would’ve done.
December: Tryout With Saints
YouTube and social media star Logan Paul, who has boxed against fellow online celebrity KSI twice, challenged Brown to a celebrity boxing match. It would certainly draw a large audience.
“I think we might be closer than anyone expects,” Paul said in a recent interview with TMZ Sports. “You know how serious I take fighting.”
Brown confirmed to Complex Sports earlier this month that the fight was a real possibility, noting that he would look to train for the fight with Floyd Mayweather.
“It seems like Logan is a boxer for real though and I’m a big fan of him,” Brown said. “He’s a cool guy, man. Came to my house a couple years ago at the Super Bowl was all kind of love. But I’m excited about everything. He’s promoting his craft and his brand, so it would be an honor if I could hook up with him. I think it would be pretty fun.”
Paul tweeted that Brown had turned down two lucrative offers. Paul said he would issue a dis track.
Antonio Brown, despite causing a slew of problems with the law, has now denied two multi-multi-million dollar official offers to fight me. You’ve wasted my time and leave me no choice but to body you via diss track @AB84
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) January 23, 2020
Brown is likely focused on other matters at this point.
January: His Agent Terminates Agreement
Chelsie Kyriss, the mother of three of AB’s children, also publicly stated that she wants him to receive help because of his recent behavior.
She wrote on Instagram: “Unfortunately, it seems Antonio has made questionable choices and continues to ignore the advice of those who love and support him. At this point the boys and I are working on building a new life free from any impulsive, reckless and unhealthy behaviors. My hope is that Anotonio [sic] will get help and seek the mental health treatment that he so desperately needs so that he can be the father all of his children need and deserve.”
Kyriss’s post came after they got into an altercation early in January with their children present. Brown alleged that she had tried to steal his car. He Instagram live-streamed a video of him cursing at police and Kyriss, whom he called “fucking trash” and a “broke ass whore.”
In the video, he also threw a bag of gummy penises at the police, saying that it was a “bag of dicks for the dicks.”
After the incident, the Hollywood, Florida, police force—to whose Police Athletic League Brown had previously donated money—returned his check. The Miami Herald reported that the police also “forbade him from working with their kids’ program.”
Brown responded by tweeting that “Hollywood police and I need a meeting unless I’m going to show their track record of my injustice consistently.”
January: Arrested and Facing Felony Charges
His most recent arrest is expected to result in a drawn-out legal case. Brown’s life appears to be spiraling. An increasingly large crowd of onlookers have suggested his issues could only be caused by something as serious as CTE, which has been found in the brains of troubled former players like Aaron Hernandez.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that he does not foresee any NFL team signing Brown again, and no one’s as plugged into the NFL heartbeat as Shefty. AB’s playing career is likely over—but you can rest assured he’ll be back in the news cycle soon.
