Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Antonio Brown has been getting a lot of media attention since he became a majority National Arena League team owner. Brown, along with his father, Eddie Brown, have a stake in the Albany Empire.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown is now part owner of an arena football team in Albany, NY.
The Empire was the team the elder Brown played for in the 1990s when they were still the Firebirds. Now Brown is hoping to help restore the team to its former glory and is offering some unique ideas on how to get it there.
These ideas have included Brown himself suiting up to play and hinting at bringing back some former NFL members such as Cam Newton. However, none of these have come to fruition yet. Despite Brown suiting up to practice ahead of the May 27th game against the Fayetteville Mustangs, he ultimately let fans down by not taking the field. Apparently, he did not have the requisite medical clearance or physical needed to take the field.
Carolina Panthers
Steelers' Antonio Brown and Carolina's Cam Newton have forged an off-field friendship and may play together for Empire.
That leaves the Empire dealing with a five-game losing streak and Brown dealing with the backlash from unhappy fans who are sick of the drama and the revolving door of coaches.
The Albany newspaper, The Times-Union, has been covering Brown’s antics with the Empire from the beginning. They have covered it all - from Brown beefing with the other owners over financial responsibilities, failing to pay players, threatening his own security guard, and locking his players out of their hotel rooms.
Brown’s problems don’t end with the team. He has also been accused of not paying child support or for a large custom jewelry order. He was even trolled on social media for leaving without paying a restaurant bill, which he later made right, saying it was just a misunderstanding.
Outlandish behaviors are no longer surprising from Brown, they have almost become the norm. Recently he told the media he had changed his name to “Antonio El-Allah Express” and was renouncing his American citizenship, instead claiming that he himself is a sovereign nation.
Former Steelers WR Antonio Brown Gets The Boot, Again
Once again Brown is making headlines and not for the great work he is doing rebuilding a once-winning franchise. Over the first weekend in June, Brown and the Albany team members were reportedly kicked out of a hotel.
The story, once again first reported by The Times Union, says that they were asked to leave the Holiday Inn Express at 300 Broadway in Albany. This is the hotel where the team lodges together for games.
According to The Times-Union, the police were summoned at about 9 PM on Friday, June 2, 2023, for reports of noise and marijuana usage. Brown and the team were initially asked to leave when complaints were made.
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Former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown
Also per The Times-Union, the police said they did not make any arrests, nor did they issue any citations. In response to being asked to leave, Brown sent a video to The Times Union.
In the video, Brown, who has his face partially covered, says that he was asked to leave the “Holiday Inn Marriott” and gestures to a policeman behind him. He said they accused him of trespassing, despite having been there for six days. Brown also goes on to imply that this is more about a “young black entrepreneur/owner” than about any wrongdoing on the part of the team or him.
He also told The Times-Union that he is working on securing new lodgings for the team, but hasn’t offered any further details.
What do you think about Brown and the team being kicked out of the hotel? Do you think it was as simple as a noise violation? Or do you believe there is some truth to Brown’s implied feelings that he is being singled out? Comment below!
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