Super Bowl Champion, seven-time NFL Pro Bowler, Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer (and former Tom Brady roommate), Antonio Brown arrived in Orlando on Thursday, ahead of his performance on Friday. In addition to completing some promotional obligations, “Mr. Put That [Mess] On” also made time to visit with Jones High School, ahead of their homecoming matchup against the visiting University High School Cougars.
Jones is a small high school that was founded in 1895 and is located in Orlando in the Parramore/Lorna Doone area where they experienced massive flooding and heartache. We appreciate that he took his time to do this.
— Jones Tigers Football (@JonesHSFootball) October 4, 2022
Mr. Brown (or AB, if you like) has stayed busy in his post-playing days. From a surprisingly smooth, post-football transition from to the recording studio, and then to performing at Rolling Loud music festival. All while remaining one of the most-discussed non-players in sports media.
Say what you want about this man but he gave up his own time & money to fly to Jones HS to uplift these kids & check on them & the surrounding areas after Hurricane Ian. We appreciate that he came to take pictures and talk to them. Thank you AB.
— Jones Tigers Football (@JonesHSFootball) October 6, 2022
Hall of Fame Boomin’?
But while A.B. continues to enjoy his new career in non-football related entertainment, his attention-grabbing antics also pose a ticking-time bomb for the National Football League. All football fans remember the Vonteze Burfict hit that changed everything for AB, effectively ending his record-setting time with Pittsburg Steelers. As CTE, and head trauma protocols come under more scrutiny in the public consciousness, Antonio Brown can not be quietly swept under the rug and forgotten, like so many former NFL players.
Will such a polarizing talent even be considered for the Pro Bowl Hall of Fame? And if not, will we see the forceful presence of Antonio Brown in popular culture actually force the NFL to change it’s exploitive ways? We shall see.