This text comprises references to psychological well being points and allegations of sexual assault.

Antonio Brown is well one of the crucial controversial athletes to ever play within the NFL — and he was the most effective large receivers, too. Since he was younger, Brown appeared to battle with discovering strong floor, from being estranged from his dad and mom to working with the fallacious crowd. When Brown began taking part in soccer, it was a constructive expertise for him — one thing that gave him focus. An escape. And whereas Brown’s profession could possibly be referred to as successful by some requirements, it hasn’t been a simple trip for him.

Brown’s been confronted with tough circumstances at practically each flip. When he lastly appears to settle in, one thing all the time appears to go fallacious. Brown has performed for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has one Tremendous Bowl below his belt (alongside Tom Brady in Tampa). However his profession within the NFL got here to an in depth, not less than briefly, when in 2021, he eliminated his uniform, walked off the sphere throughout a recreation, and did not return. Brown has talked a few return to soccer, however he appears to be centered on different issues, like a rap profession. Nonetheless, Brown admitted to blowing by some $100 million and has filed for Chapter 11 chapter. 

And so, the tragic lifetime of Antonio Brown continues.

Antonio Brown did not have the best upbringing. He grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Miami, the place he was usually on his personal. “Everybody desires the sob story. I am from the hood, I got here from nothing, so I received a nothing mentality,” he advised ESPN’s Jeff Darlington in 2019. Soccer was a part of Brown’s life from a younger age. After his dad and mom cut up, his dad moved to New York to play for the Albany Firebirds of the Area Soccer League. Brown and his youthful brother, Desmond, would spend weeks with their dad, studying the game. When he was again in Liberty Metropolis, nevertheless, issues weren’t as constructive. “Each get together I went to led to a shootout,” he advised ESPN in 2015.

When Brown was 16, he had a falling out along with his mother’s new husband and left house. On the time, Brown was nonetheless in highschool. “He was dwelling a grown man’s life,” Brown’s highschool coach at Miami Norland Nigel Dunn advised ESPN. With each of his dad and mom type of doing their very own factor, Brown relied on the opposite folks in his life to assist him get by, particularly his grandmother, whom he speaks extremely of. Brown knew that he wished to play soccer and says that his entire household knew — however it was as much as him to make it occur.

When it got here time for Antonio Brown to use for faculty, he had one factor on his thoughts: soccer. He utilized to Florida State College, hoping to play on the varsity’s soccer staff. Nonetheless, his utility was denied due to his grades. He enrolled at North Carolina Tech Prep, the place he performed ball for one season earlier than getting a scholarship to Florida Worldwide College. Sadly, that did not final lengthy. After a struggle between Brown and a safety guard on the faculty, he misplaced his scholarship. In 2007, he enrolled at Central Michigan College and performed large receiver for the varsity’s soccer staff. Issues lastly appeared to be turning round for AB. 

Though he was good — nice even — Brown usually felt like he was the final man picked for the staff. “I am not six foot 5. I am not 250 kilos. I have been missed. Doubted,” he wrote in an Op-Ed for The Participant’s Tribune. Brown mentioned that he leaned on his religion to get him by. “The one method to destroy doubt is with perception,” he wrote for the outlet. When he was making an attempt to get drafted, Brown did all the things he might to attempt to enhance his stats. Within the 2010 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers chosen him within the sixth spherical with the 195th general decide. 

Antonio Brown has been in hassle with the legislation fairly a number of instances all through the course of his life. In 2018, for instance, Brown was being sued for damages brought on after he allegedly threw furnishings off a balcony at an residence complicated in South Florida. In January 2020, a warrant for his arrest was issued after an alleged altercation with a transferring firm. Brown reportedly pleaded no contest within the case and was placed on probation for 2 years. He was additionally ordered to finish 100 hours of group service along with attending an anger administration program. 

Brown’s authorized points did not cease there. In 2019, he was accused of sexual assault, which he settled in 2021. In October 2022, he was accused of promoting a counterfeit watch and needed to pay up after a choose dominated in favor of the plaintiff within the case.

Additionally in 2022, Brown confronted prices of home battery after an alleged struggle along with his ex-fiancée, Chelsie Kyriss, with whom he shares 4 kids. In December of that 12 months, the fees had been dropped. Lower than one 12 months later although, in October 2023, Brown was taken into custody over unpaid baby help claims. Months prior, a choose overseeing the case dominated that Brown was certainly delinquent on his funds. In August 2023, Brown missed a $15,000 fee to Wiltrice Jackson, and some months later, Jackson advised TMZ, “I do need him arrested,” as her ex nonetheless hadn’t made a fee, owing her some $31,000. He was launched from jail on $15,000 bond.

Antonio Brown joined the New England Patriots in September 2019 — the exact same day that he parted methods with the Oakland Raiders. His one-year, $15 million take care of a candy $9 million sign-on bonus had him driving excessive in Foxborough, Mass., with Tom Brady as his quarterback. However whereas Brown could have been searching for a visit to the Tremendous Bowl, his hopes have been dashed after only one recreation along with his new staff. “The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown. We admire the exhausting work of many individuals over the previous 11 days, however we really feel that it’s best to maneuver in a unique path at the moment,” the staff mentioned in an announcement, in keeping with NFL.com. Though the Patriots group did not provide particulars about its choice to launch Brown, allegations of sexual assault appeared to have performed a component. 

On the time, one in all Brown’s former trainers, Britney Taylor, accused him of rape. Based mostly on the timing of Taylor’s lawsuit, it appears apparent that the Patriots group did not need to take care of a PR nightmare. Brown would later countersue Taylor for defamation, and in 2021, a settlement was reached. In an announcement obtained by ESPN, a lawyer for Taylor mentioned that the 2 had been longtime mates and regardless of the “aggressive litigation,” they wished each other the “greatest.” And so, Brown’s 11 days with the Patriots turned a blip in his profession and nothing extra.

Many athletes turn out to be extremely near their brokers, and that appeared to be the case for Antonio Brown and Drew Rosenhaus. Rosenhaus saved Brown as a shopper for practically a decade, hanging with him by some sticky conditions, however in the end determined to half methods with the star athlete in 2020. Getting the within scoop, Adam Schefter from ESPN shared that Rosenhaus had written a letter to the NFL Gamers Affiliation sharing his intention to drop Brown as a shopper. Although he made it clear that he wished to work with Brown sooner or later, he would not till Brown “first will get assist.”

Brown did not oblige, nevertheless, and as an alternative moved on along with his life by hiring agent Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports activities in April 2020. In 2021, Brown filed a lawsuit towards Rosenhaus. Brown claimed that Rosenhaus received him concerned with a advertising and marketing company Rosenhaus owned with out informing him. After his time within the NFL got here to an unofficial shut in 2021, Brown labored with agent J.R. Rickert. In 2023, Rickert advised CBS Sports activities that his shopper was “exploring the proper match” and that there was “real” curiosity in Brown from numerous groups within the NFL. Brown is presently an unsigned free agent. 

For somebody like Antonio Brown, taking part in soccer was akin to respiratory. The man was simply that good. Nonetheless, it is unclear if Brown will ever play within the NFL once more. Regardless of having a powerful file, if Brown have been to formally retire from the NFL at this time, he would not precisely be going out on the perfect phrases. In 2021, he inked a take care of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — as soon as once more taking part in with Tom Brady. This time, nevertheless, Brown would go on to win his first and solely Tremendous Bowl to this point. He re-signed with the staff in 2021, however what occurred subsequent was one thing nobody noticed coming.

Within the third quarter of a recreation between the Bucs and the New York Jets that season, Brown took off his uniform and walked off the sphere. Hypothesis arose that this was simply one other Brown antic, however Brown later launched an announcement claiming that head coach Bruce Arians pressured him to play regardless of a critical ankle damage. “Sure, I walked off the sphere. However there is a main distinction between launching from the road and taking hits, in comparison with jogging off the sphere with a rush of feelings going by your thoughts. I’m reflecting on my response, however there was a set off. The set off was somebody telling me that I am not allowed to really feel ache,” Brown mentioned on the time, in keeping with ESPN. Days later, the Bucs group launched an announcement claiming that Brown was given a possibility to see an orthopedic specialist, however he failed to take action. And so, he was reduce. He hasn’t performed skilled soccer since.

Antonio Brown has dated a number of ladies over the course of his life, however he actually hasn’t discovered “the one.” The soccer participant has seven kids with a number of completely different ladies however has never been married. He welcomed his first baby — a boy — in 2007 with then-girlfriend Shameika Brailsford. After the 2 cut up, a bitter custody battle broke out. Brown then dated Wiltrice Jackson, and the 2 welcomed a child woman in 2008. As beforehand talked about, Brown was accused of failing to pay baby help to Jackson, which has strained their relationship. 

Within the years that adopted, Brown discovered love once more with Chelsie Kyriss, whom he began relationship in 2012. The 2 welcomed three boys collectively: Autonomy Brown in 2014, Ali Brown in 2015, and Apollo Brown two years later. Nonetheless, though they have been collectively for years, there was numerous hassle of their relationship. For instance, in 2018, Brown went to court docket in an effort to get Kyriss out of his Florida house, in keeping with USA At present. The 2 had cut up, and the case was ultimately closed, however Brown was again in court docket a short time later with claims that Kyriss was an “unfit mom,” per the outlet. In spite of everything that drama, Brown and Kyriss received again collectively in 2020 and welcomed somewhat woman they named Attract. Brown even received down on one knee, although he and Kyriss by no means made it down the aisle. They cut up for good in 2022. 

As soon as again in the marketplace, Brown was linked to a couple completely different ladies. In July 2024, he welcomed his seventh baby, a son named Ace, with mannequin Cydney Moreau. His present relationship standing is unclear.

If it appears as if Antonio Brown cannot catch a break, properly … he cannot. Regardless of making thousands and thousands within the NFL, Brown has filed for chapter. “I imply, I am f***ed up, you recognize what I am saying? I simply cannot adjust to debt. You already know, it is all about defending your self. However yeah, you recognize … I am not broke, however I am fractured … I am simply reallocating the debt to maintain the debtors. That is all I am doing,” he mentioned on The Pivot podcast in 2024. “You already know, anyone can sue you, take you for no matter you bought … You already know, at this level, I do not work, I do not make thousands and thousands of {dollars} the place it is coming in the place I might simply [pay off] a few of that cash. So, you recognize, Chapter 11 is about restructuring the cash you make so you possibly can maintain the debt,” he defined.

In his court docket submitting, Brown claimed to have $50,000 to his title, in keeping with Celeb Web Price. He’s mentioned to owe some $3 million to collectors. After all, Brown owes 4 ladies baby help for his seven youngsters as properly, which is actually a hefty sum of money going out the door every month.

To make issues much more sophisticated in Antonio Brown’s life, many individuals consider that he has persistent traumatic encephalopathy, extra generally often known as CTE. The illness impacts the mind and sometimes impacts individuals who have suffered a number of head accidents. In accordance with the Mayo Clinic, analysis on CTE remains to be restricted, however there are a number of signs mentioned to be related to the situation, together with aggression, emotional instability, and despair.

Curiously, Brown has made a number of references to affected by CTE on social media; nevertheless, in August 2024, Brown appeared to disclaim it. He and his former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate, Le’Veon Bell, talked about the opportunity of having CTE whereas chatting on the CTESPN podcast. “I do not need to say it is mind harm as a result of you possibly can’t stay if it is mind harm. I really feel like folks attempt to body CTE as a concussion you might have, however yo, we had a bunch of concussions. You already know what I am saying, like, you possibly can stay after a concussion,” Brown mentioned.

Past considerations about CTE, many followers are apprehensive about Antonio Brown’s psychological well being general. Whether or not he is affected by an precise situation or not, many have usually puzzled if Brown wants to hunt skilled assist. Considerations miny stem from his numerous outbursts and his seemingly fixed points with the legislation. In January 2022, Related Press journalist Rob Maaddi wrote that Brown ought to benefit from the companies supplied by the NFL and get a psychological well being analysis. “Brown clearly wants assist,” he wrote. Maaddi additionally quoted Tom Brady’s feedback after Brown’s dismissal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “All people ought to do what they will to assist him in ways in which he actually wants it. All of us love him. We care about him deeply,” Brady had mentioned on the time.

Maybe unsurprisingly, Brown would completely disagree with any and all the psychological well being feedback that individuals have mentioned about him. Actually, in a 2022 interview with CBS Information, Brown denied having any psychological well being points. “I by no means had a psychological well being analysis,” Brown advised the outlet. “I by no means had a subject [sic] or drawback. I do not take drugs. I simply received a excessive IQ,” he added.

It is no secret that Antonio Brown has confronted quite a few challenges all through his life. From his childhood to his difficult romantic relationships to his hassle with the legislation and his controversies with numerous soccer groups, there was hassle for Brown at each flip. No less than as soon as over the previous twenty years, Brown has felt the necessity to apologize for the way he is dealt with issues. In 2019, after a flurry of social media posts, he issued a public apology to anybody that he’d harm.

“At the start, I might wish to apologize to my household, mates and anybody who I offended. I by no means as soon as meant to make anybody really feel like I wasn’t grateful and appreciative of the chance that I used to be afforded to play the sport I like,” Brown wrote, in keeping with Yahoo! Sports activities. “Over the previous few weeks I’ve had the chance to consider all the things that is transpired and I’m deeply sorry to all who I’ve offended. Whereas my habits was inexcusable, typically when persons are coming at you with false info and allegations, we deal with ourselves in ways in which we typically remorse,” he continued. His submit has since been deleted

If you happen to or anybody you recognize wants assist with psychological well being or sexual abuse, contact the related sources under: