A lot of people have some thoughts about the way Antonio Brown handled his brief time with the Oakland Raiders. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith happens to be one of those people and went on an epic rant during Monday’s episode of First Take and Get Up.
Smith said that Brown and everyone associated with him should be ashamed of himself while also saying the New England Patriots wide receiver is setting a bad example for black people.
“He should be ashamed of himself,” Smith said. “His family should be ashamed of him. His friends should be ashamed of him.”
During Get Up, host Mike Greenberg also chimed in on the Brown saga using some pretty incredible hyperbole overstating just how crazy the story turned.
“What we have just witnessed is the most unprofessional act that I can ever remember seeing in professional sports,” Greeny said.
Brown forced his way out of Oakland after a preseason filled with absurd drama stemming from the wide receiver’s frost-bitten feet to threatening to retire over an issue with his league-approved helmet. The Raiders acquired Brown in the offseason via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers but they ultimately decided the headaches weren’t worth it.
Now, Brown is a member of the New England Patriots where he will look to improve his image.
Throughout his career in the NFL, Brown has hauled in 837 catches for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. Last season, Brown recorded 104 catches for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. In each of the last 6 seasons, Brown has recorded at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards. The Patriots opened the season with a blowout win over Brown’s former team, the Steelers.
Up next for the New England Patriots after their 33-3 win is a meeting with the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins, who suffered a 59-10 shellacking in Week 1 courtesy of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.