Antonio Brown, also known as "AB", is a former American football wide receiver renowned for his exceptional skills. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, he rose to prominence as one of the leading receivers of the 2010s, earning four consecutive first-team All-Pro selections from 2014 to 2017. His exceptional performance led him to achieve the highest number of receptions in the league from his rookie year in 2010 to 2018. Brown's football journey began at Miami Norland High School and continued at Central Michigan University, where he excelled as a punt returner, earning All-American recognition in 2008 and 2009.
Roy Jefferson was the first Steeler to lead the league in receiving yards since 1968.
The year 1970 marked a significant event in NFL history—the merger of the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). This merger brought together two prominent football leagues, creating the modern NFL as we know it today. This historical context is relevant to understanding Antonio Brown's achievement of becoming the fifth player since the merger with four games of at least 150 receiving yards in the first 12 weeks of a season.
Antonio Tavaris Brown Sr. is born on July 10, 1988.
In 1992, Central Michigan achieved a significant victory over Michigan State, marking their first win against the Spartans since that year.
In 1996, Keenan McCardell set the record for most receiving yards in a game without a receiving touchdown at 232.
In 1997, Yancey Thigpen set the Steelers single-season team record of 1,398 receiving yards.
In 2001, Randy Moss became the first player to achieve two 50+ yard touchdowns in a single postseason game. This record stood until Antonio Brown matched it in 2016 during the AFC Wild Card Round.
In 2001, Steve Smith Sr. achieved a kickoff return touchdown during his debut game for the Carolina Panthers, setting a precedent for impressive rookie performances.
In 2005, Antonio Brown was named North Athlete of the Year at the Miami-Dade Gridiron Classic while attending Miami Norland High School.
Antonio Brown's father, "Touchdown" Eddie Brown, was named the best player in the Arena Football League's history in 2006.
Antonio Brown started his college football journey at Central Michigan in 2007.
In 2008, Antonio Brown started every game of his sophomore season at Central Michigan University. He had impressive performances throughout the season, including a game against Ohio where he had 10 receptions for 78 receiving yards and a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. He also had standout games against Temple, Western Michigan, Indiana, and Eastern Michigan, showcasing his skills as a wide receiver and return specialist. Brown finished the season with 93 receptions for 998 yards and seven touchdowns, establishing himself as a key player for the Chippewas.
Antonio Brown earned All-American honors as a punt returner in 2008 while playing college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.
On September 26, 2009, Antonio Brown had a strong performance against Akron, recording nine receptions for 89 receiving yards and two touchdowns, contributing to Central Michigan's 48-21 victory.
Antonio Brown earned his second consecutive All-American honors as a punt returner for the Central Michigan Chippewas in 2009.
During the 2009 season, Antonio Brown had a record-breaking year at Central Michigan, setting single-season bests with 110 receptions (also a school record), 1,198 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. His contributions helped Central Michigan achieve a historic season with a school-record 12 wins.
Antonio Brown completed his college football career at Central Michigan in 2009.
On January 6, 2010, Antonio Brown played his last collegiate game for Central Michigan, facing off against Troy in the GMAC Bowl. He had an impressive performance, catching 13 passes for 178 yards, contributing to the Chippewas' 44-41 victory.
On January 7, 2010, a day after his final collegiate game, Antonio Brown announced his decision to forgo his senior season at Central Michigan and enter the 2010 NFL Draft.
On June 15, 2010, Antonio Brown officially signed a three-year, $1.28 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a signing bonus of $73,075.
On September 19, 2010, Antonio Brown made his NFL debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Tennessee Titans. He showcased his return skills with two kickoffs and a punt return for 128 yards, including an 89-yard touchdown on the opening play. This achievement marked him as the first player since Steve Smith Sr. in 2001 to score a kickoff return touchdown in his debut game. The Steelers emerged victorious with a 19-11 score.
Antonio Brown was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft, marking the beginning of his professional football career.
In 2010, Antonio Brown prepared for the NFL Draft by participating in the NFL Combine and Central Michigan's Pro Day. He aimed to improve his 10, 20, and 40-yard dash times, ultimately achieving better results in all three categories.
In 2010, the Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XLV after winning the AFC Championship.
In the 2010 NFL Draft, Antonio Brown was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round with the 195th overall pick. He was the 22nd wide receiver chosen in the draft and the second by the Steelers, following Emmanuel Sanders. Brown chose jersey number 84, explaining it as motivation stemming from being overlooked by 32 teams.
On January 15, 2011, Antonio Brown participated in his first NFL playoff game during the AFC Divisional Round. He contributed significantly with a 58-yard reception from Ben Roethlisberger, setting up the game-winning touchdown. The Steelers secured a 31-24 victory against the Baltimore Ravens, advancing to the AFC Championship.
On January 8, 2012, Antonio Brown caught five passes for 70 yards and had one carry for 18 yards in the Steelers' 29–23 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card Round.
On July 28, 2012, the Steelers signed Antonio Brown to a five-year, $42.5 million contract extension that included an $8.5 million signing bonus.
With the retirement of Hines Ward during the offseason in 2012, Antonio Brown entered training camp competing with Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders to be the starting wide receivers.
In 2012, Antonio Brown became the first player in NFL history to have more than 1,000 yards receiving and returning in the same year.
In 2012, Antonio Brown was fined $10,000 by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct when he ran backwards for the final 20 yards of a punt return touchdown the previous week against the Washington Redskins. The following game against the New York Giants, Brown suffered a high ankle sprain.
Antonio Brown was selected for the 2012 Pro Bowl as a punt returner after a season where he became the first player in NFL history to have more than 1,000 yards receiving and returning in the same year.
On December 27, 2013, Antonio Brown was selected for the Pro Bowl as a receiver and a punt returner.
Antonio Brown entered the 2013 regular season as one of the Steelers' starting wide receivers with Emmanuel Sanders.
Antonio Brown made history in 2013 by becoming the only receiver in NFL history to record five receptions and at least 50 yards in every single game of an NFL season.
From 2013 to 2015, Antonio Brown set the record for most receptions in a three-year span with 375.
On January 3, 2014, Antonio Brown was named to the AP All-Pro team for the first time in his career.
Antonio Brown earned his first of four consecutive first-team All-Pro selections, highlighting his exceptional performance as a wide receiver.
Antonio Brown's exceptional performance in 2014 led him to lead the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards.
From 2014 to 2015, Antonio Brown set the record for most receptions in a two-year span with 265.
In 2014, Antonio Brown led the NFL in receptions (129), receiving yards (1,698), and was tied for second in touchdowns (13); all three were new team records.
Antonio Brown was ranked eighth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015.
From 2013 to 2015, Antonio Brown set the record for most receptions in a three-year span with 375.
In 2015, Antonio Brown showcased his receiving prowess once again by leading the NFL in receptions.
On March 8, 2016, Antonio Brown was announced as a contestant on season 22 of Dancing with the Stars. Partnered with Sharna Burgess, he finished in fourth place.
On December 20, 2016, Antonio Brown achieved a significant milestone by recording his fourth consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. This achievement earned him his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Adding to his accolades, he was also honored with a first-team All-Pro selection for the third consecutive time.
In 2016, Antonio Brown's playoff run was marked by both success and controversy. He started strong, delivering impressive performances in the Wild Card and Divisional Rounds, including a record-setting two 50+ yard touchdowns in a single postseason game. However, his unauthorized Facebook Live broadcast of the team's locker room celebration after the Divisional Round win against the Chiefs drew criticism and disciplinary action, including an apology from Coach Mike Tomlin for Brown's inclusion of Tomlin's crude remarks about the Patriots. Despite this controversy, Brown continued to excel, finishing the season ranked fourth on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.
In 2016, Antonio Brown finished the regular season with impressive stats, including 106 receptions for 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns. This success led to the Steelers resting him for the final game. By the end of the season, Brown had secured his place in Steelers history, ranking second in career receptions and third in career receiving yards for the franchise.
Antonio Brown was named to his third consecutive and fourth career Pro Bowl, his second first-team All-Pro, and was ranked as the top wide receiver and the fourth best player on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
On February 27, 2017, Antonio Brown signed a new five-year contract with the Steelers, extending his tenure through the 2021 season. The four-year extension came with a hefty price tag of $68 million, including $19 million guaranteed at signing. This deal made Brown the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL at the time, securing his financial future and solidifying his status as a key player for the Steelers.
Antonio Brown continued his dominance with another first-team All-Pro selection in 2017, solidifying his reputation as one of the best receivers in the league.
Antonio Brown was ranked fourth on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 for his accomplishments during the 2016 season.
Antonio Brown's dominance continued in 2017 as he led the NFL in receiving yards, solidifying his position as one of the top wide receivers in the league.
In 2017, Antonio Brown had another remarkable season, leading the league with 1,533 receiving yards, marking the second time he had achieved this feat in his career with the Steelers. He also secured fifth place in the league with 101 receptions and tied for fourth with nine touchdown receptions. His exceptional performance earned him his sixth Pro Bowl selection and unanimous first-team All-Pro honors.
On July 18, 2018, Antonio Brown reached a new level of recognition when he was announced as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 19, one of the most popular video game franchises in the world. This honor solidified his status as a superstar and one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL.
In December 2018, former Steelers safety Ryan Clark claimed that during a practice in 2012, Brown started shouting at defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and began yelling at players on the defense, saying, "Don't touch me. I'm the franchise."
In 2018, Victor Prisk, a Pittsburgh-based doctor who treated Brown, sued him for unpaid fees and for allegedly farting in his face.
In 2018, Antonio Brown made an appearance in Drake's music video for the song "God's Plan."
During and before the 2018 NFL season, Antonio Brown was involved in various incidents that generated controversy and tension, including throwing furniture from his apartment window, nearly injuring a child, and being cited for speeding excessively.
During the 2018 NFL season, Antonio Brown achieved several milestones, including reaching 10,000 career receiving yards in a game against the Cleveland Browns. He had notable performances throughout the season, including games against the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, and New Orleans Saints. Brown finished the season with 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns.
Antonio Brown led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2018, showcasing his exceptional ability to find the end zone.
Antonio Brown earned his fourth consecutive first-team All-Pro selection in 2018. This would be his last with the Steelers.
Antonio Brown's stellar performance in the 2017 season was recognized by his peers in the 2018 NFL Top 100 Players list. He was ranked as the second-best player overall and the best wide receiver, solidifying his status as one of the most dominant players in the league.
On January 2, 2019, Antonio Brown appeared on the first season of The Masked Singer as "Hippo," performing "My Prerogative" by Bobby Brown. He was eliminated in the first episode.
In February 2019, Antonio Brown was found guilty of reckless driving for an incident where he was speeding at over 100 mph. He received a fine for the offense.
On March 9, 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to trade Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for third and fifth round selections in the 2019 NFL draft.
The trade of Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders became official on March 13, 2019.
In April 2019, Antonio Brown reached a settlement with a family he was sued by after an incident where he tossed furniture out of his apartment window, nearly hitting a young child.
On September 7, 2019, the same day he was released by the Oakland Raiders, Antonio Brown agreed to a one-year contract with the New England Patriots. The contract was worth up to $15 million, including a $9 million signing bonus. The Patriots added a second-year option to the contract a few days later.
On September 10, 2019, Britney Taylor, Brown's former trainer, filed a lawsuit against him alleging sexual assault on three occasions.
In September 2019, Antonio Brown re-enrolled at Central Michigan University for online classes. His return to academia garnered attention when he publicly sought help with proofreading an English paper on Twitter.
Antonio Brown announced his retirement from the NFL on September 22, 2019, but reversed his decision four days later.
In 2019, Antonio Brown's cousin, Marquise Brown, was drafted into the NFL. Marquise Brown is a wide receiver who has played for the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals.
In 2019, Antonio Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where he became the highest-paid receiver in the league.
In 2019, Antonio Brown was involved in a controversy regarding his preferred helmet, which was banned by the NFL. Brown filed grievances and threatened retirement but eventually found a replacement helmet.
In 2019, Antonio Brown was ranked 7th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
In 2019, the Oakland Raiders released Antonio Brown after he demanded to be released and following a series of controversies, including a helmet dispute and an altercation with general manager Mike Mayock. Brown's 2019 salary would have become guaranteed just hours after his release.
On January 13, 2020, the Hollywood Police Department banned Antonio Brown from their youth league following several domestic incidents at his home.
In January 2020, Antonio Brown began releasing music under his initials AB, starting with his debut single "Whole Lotta Money."
Antonio Brown was officially charged with felony burglary of a vehicle, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor criminal mischief on March 20, 2020.
On June 12, 2020, Antonio Brown pleaded no contest to felony battery and burglary charges. He received two years of probation, community service, anger management counseling, and a psychological evaluation.
On July 20, 2020, Antonio Brown again hinted at retiring from professional football, only to express interest in playing a few days later.
On July 31, 2020, Antonio Brown received an eight-game suspension from the NFL for multiple violations of the league's personal conduct policy.
Antonio Brown allegedly destroyed a security camera and threw a bicycle at a security guard at his home on October 15, 2020.
Antonio Brown visited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 24, 2020, reuniting with head coach Bruce Arians, his former offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed a one-year contract with the team three days later.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reinstated Antonio Brown from suspension and activated him on November 3, 2020.
On November 16, 2020, a report surfaced alleging that Antonio Brown had destroyed a security camera and thrown a bicycle at a security guard at his residence on October 15, 2020.
Antonio Brown had a productive season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, catching his first touchdown as a Buccaneer and recording impressive stats in several games, including against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished the season with 45 receptions for 483 yards and 4 touchdowns.
After a tumultuous period, Antonio Brown signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
In April 2021, a settlement was reached between Antonio Brown and Britney Taylor in the sexual assault lawsuit.
Antonio Brown agreed to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal on April 28, 2021.
Antonio Brown's one-year deal to return to the Buccaneers became official on May 25, 2021, after he passed a physical despite undergoing off-season knee surgery. The deal was worth $6.25 million and included a $2 million signing bonus and $3.1 million guaranteed.
The Buccaneers placed Antonio Brown on the reserve/COVID-19 list on September 22, 2021.
Antonio Brown was suspended for three games by the NFL on December 2, 2021 for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols by misrepresenting his vaccination status.
Antonio Brown's five-year contract extension, signed in February 2017, was set to run through the 2021 season.
Antonio Brown's time with the Buccaneers ended in controversy in 2021 when he was released after stripping off his uniform and running off the field during a game against the New York Jets.
On January 6, 2022, Antonio Brown was officially released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This came after an incident where he left the field during a game and subsequent allegations from Brown of a cover-up by the team regarding his ankle injury.
In January 2022, Antonio Brown released the song "Pit Not The Palace" following an incident where he ran off the field during a Buccaneers-Jets game.
Since February 2022, Antonio Brown has been the president of Kanye West's sports fashion line, which is a part of West's creative content company, Donda Sports.
On December 1, 2022, Tampa police attempted to serve Antonio Brown with an arrest warrant for domestic violence charges related to an incident with his ex-fiancée on November 28.
On January 17, 2023, Antonio Brown's Snapchat account was suspended after he posted an explicit photo.
On March 2, 2023, Antonio Brown announced his retirement from professional football after a tumultuous few years in the league.
On April 14, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for Antonio Brown for failing to make child support payments. Brown's attorney claimed the matter was resolved.
On April 15, 2023, Antonio Brown claimed to reporters that he was the 100% owner of the Albany Empire, a statement disputed by co-owner Mike Kwarta.
On April 28, 2023, Antonio Brown announced he was coming out of retirement with intentions to play for the Albany Empire.
On May 3, 2023, representatives of Antonio Brown informed the Times Union that Brown had no personal ownership or control over the Albany Empire and that the team was owned by a trust.
On May 25, 2023, Antonio Brown expressed his intention to play for the Albany Empire, aiming to become the first player-owner in professional football since George Halas. However, he didn't play due to paperwork issues regarding his physical examination.
On June 3, 2023, Antonio Brown was reportedly asked to leave a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Albany due to complaints of loud music and marijuana smoking.
On June 15, 2023, the National Arena League terminated the Albany Empire's franchise agreement due to Antonio Brown's failure to pay league dues and fines.
On August 9, 2023, a Miami-Dade County judge issued an arrest warrant for Antonio Brown for missing a $15,000 child support payment to Wiltrice Jackson, Brown's ex-girlfriend and mother of one of his daughters.
In August 2023, another arrest warrant was issued for Antonio Brown due to missed child support payments.
On August 22, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for Antonio Brown for failing to pay child support. Brown denied the warrant and went on a social media rant criticizing the media and former teammate Ryan Clark.
On August 29, 2023, Antonio Brown claimed his behavior was due to CTE and again denied the existence of an arrest warrant against him.
On October 15, 2023, Antonio Brown was arrested by the Broward County Sheriff's Office for unpaid child support and released on a $15,000 bond.
In December 2023, Antonio Brown announced his graduation from Central Michigan University on his X account.
On April 24, 2024, Antonio Brown announced his second retirement from professional football, this time retiring as a Las Vegas Raider.