Antonio Brown calls out Buccaneers' loyalty, says he has never had a mental health diagnosis

Thu, Jan 27, 2022
NFL News (AP)

Antonio Brown calls out Buccaneers' loyalty, says he has never had a mental health diagnosis

Antonio Brown isn't ready to give up his battle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, weeks after being released by the team after exiting in the middle of a game against the Jets. Brown and the Buccaneers each have their side of the story, with Brown saying he couldn't play due to an lingering ankle injury while Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said Brown was upset over his lack of targets at halftime.

Brown spoke with The NFL Today analyst and AP The Morning host Nate Burleson regarding his issues with the Buccaneers, just a day after claiming the Buccaneers offered him $200,000 to step away from football and commit himself to a mental health facility on HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."

"The organization ain't got no loyalty," Brown told Burleson. "These guys were playing me while I was hurt knowingly and they needed me because their guys got hurt."

Brown told AP News he is considering legal action against the Buccaneers, but mental health issues are the main concern surrounding him after leaving the Week 17 game against the New York Jets by taking his shoulder pads and jersey off and exiting the field with no shirt on.

"I never had a mental health diagnosis. I never had an issue or problem," Brown said. "I don't take pills. I just have a high IQ. I tried to (do therapy) in the NFL, but I don't have time to consult with people I don't know about my mental space or how I look at things.

"Most of the people are from different forms of the world. Like, I'm from the pit. Most of the people we talk to, they from the palace. So how your lenses look at life is not how mines is."

Based on his play on the field, Brown has had a Hall of Fame career. He's the only player in NFL history with six consecutive seasons of 100 catches and the only player to have six straight seasons of 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards (Marvin Harrison is the closest with four straight). Brown has recorded 928 catches for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns -- making seven Pro Bowls and earning All-Pro honors four times.

Brown had 42 catches for 545 yards and four touchdowns in just seven games in 2021 (with three 100-yard games), proving he was productive when actually playing. The off-field issues surrounding Brown have damaged his NFL career, yet he's not taking responsibility for what happened with the Buccaneers that led to his release.

"I always did what's best for me," Brown said. "I mean, that's what it is."

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