He. Just. Won’t. Quit.
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown won’t stop using social media as a means to stir conflict.
Brown on Saturday morning replied to a Twitter user, presumably a fan who used the “AskAB” hashtag, who asked him about the origins of the rift between Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
User @SavoRPC simply asked, “What caused the conflict between you and Ben Roethlisberger?”
Forty-four minutes later, the disgruntled superstar replied.
“No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they {sic} meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game,” Brown tweeted.
He ended the tweet with #truth, a stamp of sorts that implies that what he declared is fact.
No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truth https://t.co/MsSyBVd3Ny
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
For his part, Roethlisberger has dismissed reports saying there has been conflict between him and Brown, and has stated that he has “earned the right” to criticize his teammates.
The timing of Brown’s tweet is interesting. Reports on Friday said Brown had agreed to meet with Steelers owner Art Rooney II while the two are in Florida.
ESPN says the meeting will take place next week.
Brown, who has three years remaining on his contract, has requested a trade.
The Pro Bowl receiver did give more insight on what he’s expecting in the meeting with Rooney, though. He simultaneously sidestepped a question asking him who he’d like to play for next.
Best interest this be my first meeting with Mr Rooney ever as Antonio Brown the man not AB84 the player in locker ?! never been to my house ; there house ; like what AM I Really doing ! Less then what you bargain for more than real #Truth https://t.co/Xiitf0si2I
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
But AB didn’t stop there; he answered several more inquiries on the day he promised to answer 10 questions from fans.
He reached the halfway point by 3 p.m.
Is Brown just playing for the dollars and cents?
Not for the money its for the love of the sport ! The commitment to win relentlessly consistently passionately ! Plus I made 70 million it’s public record not to be cocky just truth! Time to play for my own Team AB84 the family ! https://t.co/v4vFO2QCSf
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
He seemingly shot down the notion that he was only seeking a (more) lucrative contract. Rather, he said, he plays the game with the “commitment to win relentlessly, consistently, (and) passionately.”
#AskAB answering 10 questions real truth and real facts now
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
He responded to someone who followed up, but didn’t necessarily ask him a question, yet questioned his “love” of the game.
After the coach tell the team I quit while nursing some bumps then invite me to watch the show with same guys thinking I quit i can not stand with that! I’m the bad guy doe we miss post season think about it https://t.co/imrJ8jnnBc
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
Another user asked if there was a chance he’d still be a Steeler. His reply was confusing. Typical AB.
Love Steelers Nation everything to my heart ❤️ no more ! https://t.co/uWwi5mB3R3
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
“Love Steeler nation everything to my heart (heart emoji) no more!”
Does that mean the Steeler Nation is no longer everything to his heart. Or, does it mean the chance to continue as a Steeler is “no more?” Both?
Cryptic.
The wide receiver then responded to a question about why he didn’t play in the season final against the Bengals. He explained that he was nursing an injury and watched the game from the sidelines after coaches asked if he wanted to.
After the coach tell the team I quit while nursing some bumps then invite me to watch the show with same guys thinking I quit i can not stand with that! I’m the bad guy doe we miss post season think about it https://t.co/imrJ8jnnBc
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
Brown ended Saturday’s session with a post about positivity. He said he’s betting on himself.
Yea it’s positively over negativity mid season why fire back this perfect example of being the bigger man! When I could easily point finger ! I pointed at me because i bet on me faith in me not no one else https://t.co/9XnNhZGPQg
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019
