The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the most electrifying offenses during the mid-2010s. They had playmakers at every position. The unit included future a Hall Of Famer at quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, the best receiver in the game in Antonio Brown, and Le'Veon Bell who was one of the most versatile running backs in the league. That side of the ball was also filled with drama, as Bell sat out a season and left the team over contract disputes while Brown and Roethlisberger consistently butted heads until Brown was traded.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dealt with several troubled wideouts in his tenure in Pittsburgh, including the rapid downfall of Antonio Brown.
Steelers' Legend Antonio Brown Blocked Ben Roethlisberger's Number
Brown was the best wide receiver in the NFL during his time in Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger. With the Steelers, Brown had over 1,000 receiving yards in seven out of nine seasons and had over 100 receptions six seasons in a row, and he caught 78 touchdowns from Roethlisberger. Towards the end of Brown's time in Pittsburgh he and Roethlisberger started to feud, and it was a messy breakup as Brown requested a trade out of Pittsburgh. Brown opened up about the end of his time with the Steelers on VladTV, and was asked about ignoring Roethlisberger when he called to apologize to the receiver.
"I love Ben, I was probably so hurt at that time I just blocked his number. I made a life, changed my life as a player, coming into my own with Ben. First time I ever hit the starting lineup Big Ben told Bruce Arians 'Yo I need AB at the X', so I don't think I ever had a problem with Ben, man."
It is clear Brown might have some regrets about the way his time with the Steelers and Roethlisberger ended. The two were one of the most electric duos in the league, and Brown's career went downhill after leaving Pittsburgh despite winning a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020 season.
Matt Freed / Post Gazette
Steelers former wide receiver, Antonio Brown and Head Coach, Mike Tomlin.
Brown last played in the NFL during the 2021 season with the Buccaneers, when he took his jersey off and walked off the field in the middle of a Week 17 matchup with the New York Jets.
He was released shortly after the incident and hasn't played since. Ever since Brown left Pittsburgh he has consistently been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He has had several issues with the law, including domestic violence incidents and not paying his child support, along with other things like being kicked out of hotels.
Mark Alberti / Icon Sportswire
Pittsburgh Steelers former wide receiver Antonio Brown has certainly set the standard for antics and off-the-field goings on for Steelers fans
Despite all the issues between Brown and Roethlisberger, Brown seems apologetic for his actions. During his interview with VladTV, he expressed a lot of gratitude for his time with the Steelers and the relationship he once had with his former quarterback, and he seems to understand that he owes a lot of his success to Roethlisberger.
"Me and Ben made some of the greatest football history moments of my life, you know, my kids grew up seeing it. It sparked some of the greatness in my life. I feel like the media tried to create a war between us, but man I feel like me and Ben's IQ is so much the same, sometimes I ran and created routes and he'd throw me the ball. We had that relationship, the media makes it what it is, but I got nothing but love and joy for Ben."
Regardless of the issues between the two players, they both owe a lot of their success to each other. Neither would have been as successful as they were during their careers without the other. Brown dominated the NFL at the receiver position for eight years. His statistics would have him be a first ballot Hall Of Famer, but his off the field issues and antics later in his career may hurt his chances.
What do you think of Brown being grateful and apologetic towards Roethlisberger and the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!
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