Embattled wide receiver Antonio Brown said he’s done with the NFL in a tweet Sunday morning that criticized teams’ ability to move on from players while recouping much of their contracts.
“Will not be playing in the NFL anymore,” Brown tweeted, going on to criticize owners and calling on the NFL Players’ Association to “hold them accountable.”
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
Brown was cut by the New England Patriots on Friday amid new reports about allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Brown reportedly sent intimidating text messages to an alleged victim within a group chat after she spoke with Sports Illustrated earlier in the month about her accusation.
Brown followed up his first tweet by bringing up a series of other high-profile misconduct investigations in recent NFL history, including some that touched his former teams, the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kraft got caught in the parlor AB speculations fired different strokes different folks clearly 🤷🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/eKrAE0Vwih
— AB (@AB84) September 22, 2019
Shannon Sharp the funny guy on tv 📺 still after this pic.twitter.com/ZlVvvOqKWg
— AB (@AB84) September 22, 2019
4 games for Big Ben crazy world I’m done with it pic.twitter.com/ZXVZXzM4xh
— AB (@AB84) September 22, 2019
Brown started the calendar year as a Steeler, got himself traded to the Oakland Raiders in March, wore out his welcome as he battled the NFL over the model of helmet he was allowed to wear and then became upset with the Raiders over fines imposed on him for missing camp.
In an Instagram post, the star receiver dared the Raiders to release him (or begged, depending on your interpretation) and the team granted him his wish. By day’s end he had agreed to terms with New England — but all this was before the first allegation of sexual assault, within a civil lawsuit, was made public.
Brown has threatened to retire before. He told ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington before the Steelers traded him that “I don’t even have to play football if I don’t want,” and during the helmet saga he threatened to quit the league if he didn’t get his way.
Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Saturday that he had gotten interest from a few teams who wanted details of the NFL’s investigation into Brown’s misconduct allegations. But perhaps this is the last we’ve seen of the man who once was the best wide receiver in football.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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