It looks like Antonio Brown won’t be lacing up to play football in 2022.
Appearing at a Fan Controlled Football league game, the former Pro-Bowl receiver says he does not plan on suiting up next season as he contemplates what the future holds for him.
“Obviously, we live the game, but you can’t play forever,” Brown told Charly Arnolt. “I think I’m a great player that’s done everything in the game.”
When asked if he would play in 2022, Brown said, “Nah, don’t play yourself looking at me to play.”
The last time Brown played in an NFL game — as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — he took off his jersey, shoulder pads and undershirt before walking off the sideline during a game against the New York Jets. The oft-troubled wide receiver said in a statement released by his attorney that he was pressured to play and coach Bruce Arians fired him when the player told the coach he was not able to re-enter the game because of his ankle.
It has been an interesting off-season for Brown who said that he wanted to retire with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team he played with for nine seasons making 837 receptions for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns in 130 games. Brown also recorded seven seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards and was a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro.
The Steelers decided to move on from Brown in 2019 trading him to the Las Vegas Raiders. But Brown never played a game for the Raiders after getting into a dispute with the front office that led to the guarantees in his contract being voided. Brown was released then went on to sign with the New England Patriots but was released after one game because of sexual assault allegations from his former trainer.
After getting suspended for eight games to start the 2020 season, Brown would join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the rest of the season and win a Super Bowl. He was released by Tampa in Week 17 after his incident against the Jets.
If Brown does decide to retire, he would finish with 928 catches for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns in 146 games.
