Antonio Brown: 'Trade Me' Reply To Critical Tweet Was 'Stupid'
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has offered clarification on several issues that have come up this week.
During the Steelers' 42-37 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday, Brown was visibly upset on the sidelines and got into a heated discussion with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner.
On Thursday, Brown said he was angry, but he wasn't "begging for the ball."
Part of what Antonio Brown said today. "I'm not on the sideline begging for the ball or making statements I'm pissed off. We're losing. We suck." Hear more tonight @KDKA 5 and 6 #Steelers
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) September 20, 2018
He defended the sideline outburst by saying, "He's in this to win it," and added that it had nothing to do with his individual numbers, which is contrary to media reports.
On Monday, Brown didn't show up to practice and raised eyebrows with a response to a critical tweet by a former team employee.
Ryan Scarpino tweeted, "AB needs to thank his lucky stars, because he was drafted by a team that had Ben. And Ben got AB paid. You know darn well he wouldn't put up those numbers for other teams."
Brown caught wind of the tweet and responded with, "Trade me let's find out."
Trade me let's find out https://t.co/4OeepI78zy
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) September 17, 2018
Brown also said Thursday that he does not want to be traded and his response to the tweet was "stupid."
On the record Antonio Brown says he does not want to be traded — says he made a "Stupid" remark on twitter. More @KDKA 5 and6
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) September 20, 2018
"Obviously, I don't want to be traded," said Brown. "I'm still grateful to put on my uniform, grateful to be a part of this organization, I don't take that for granted. Obviously, it was a stupid remark online. I just got to stay away from the online with the distractions, and letting people take me out of my character."
Brown's agent also said the wide receiver does not want to be traded and he missed Monday's meetings because of personal reasons.
2/3 Rosenhaus: "Antonio had a personal matter. I talked to the team about it. His issue was unrelated to the tweet or his relationship with the team. Third, AB has an incredible drive to win. He just wants to win. That's all that that is."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2018
"Personal reasons. Obviously, the coach knew where I was at. We talked between me and him," Brown said. "Yeah, I let him know. You just can't not show up. We have a job and my job is to let everyone know what's going on with me and why I'm not here."
Brown returned to work on Wednesday.
Coach Mike Tomlin disciplined Brown for being absent, but the wide receiver will not be suspended for Monday's game in Tampa.