Antonio Brown is scheduled to meet with Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II to tell his side of the story. Brown still professes his love for Steelernation, but it’s apparent his frustrations stem from two individuals, Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. What exactly will be discussed and how productive this meeting can be are the primary questions on the minds of most. Speaking of questions, earlier today, Brown took to social media to answer 10 Twitter questions prior to his upcoming meeting with Rooney II. They were sincere but not always easy to translate.
Brown: Answering 10 Questions, Real Truth and Real Facts Now
https://mobile.twitter.com/AB84/status/1096826506221887489
For much of the offseason we’ve heard from pretty much everyone but Brown himself regarding the events during the final week of the 2018 season. His teammates and the media have all had questions for him, but true to his style, Brown took them from the fans first.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AB84/status/1096853671307108353
Brown seems to genuinely love Steelernation, but the end of the answer to this question is open to interpretation. Is he saying that although he loves the fans, he no longer enjoys playing in Pittsburgh? Or the drama?
https://mobile.twitter.com/AB84/status/1096838263736881152
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This answer comes across as though Brown doesn’t have problems with Ben Roethlisberger overall. Brown’s biggest issue with his quarterback appears to be the disrespect that Roethlisberger showed. Following his game ending interception in the endzone against the Broncos, Roethlisberger criticized Brown for his route running. Something Brown felt should have been done privately.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AB84/status/1096854540471676933
According to this answer, Brown is saying that Mike Tomlin told the team he quit on them after missing a few practices with a knee injury, along with the MRI. We may never find out the real story of what happened that week, but this is how Brown sees things, that Tomlin said he quit. The frustration he felt about this is likely why he left the sideline at halftime.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AB84/status/1096851081399812103
Brown has said from the beginning that it’s all about Winning a championship for him. The answer to this question just reiterated that. He playing for his family now, and the team that gives him the best chance to win a championship.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AB84/status/1096853470324420609
What Brown is saying here isn’t really clear, other than he’s meeting with Rooney II for the first time. The first time, at least, away from team facilities and on a man-to-man basis. Brown had great respect for Dan Rooney, and hopes the meeting is cordial. He’s clearly hurt by the disrespect from Roethlisberger and Tomlin, and seems shocked Rooney II cares enough to come to his home. He may be a diva, but Brown is not a bad person. There’s little doubt he hopes to respectfully get his feelings across to the Steelers owner.
The Bottom Line
Brown feels hurt and betrayed by the disrespect shown him by Roethlisberger and Tomlin. Whether perceived or real, that disrespect has consumed his thoughts and controlled his life for months now. So much so, Brown said his goodbyes to the Steelers and Steelernation. Deep down though, he likely wants to stay with the team that drafted him. If Brown didn’t, he wouldn’t have agreed to meet with Mr. Rooney. At best, they’ll have a heart-to-heart talk to help mend fences. At worst, Brown will at least agree to behavior that helps to build up the trade value needed to grant his wish to be traded.
