For many, he doesn't belong in the Super Bowl, but in prison

The last few years in Antonio Brown's life were quite turbulent. And that could even be considered a slight understatement. Because the 32-year-old might no longer have believed that he would be playing with Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl on Sunday. "I'm thankfull. Extremely grateful,” says Brown. Even in the NFL football league, which is not exactly poor in scandals, he is considered a rude exception, someone who drove his career into the wall at full speed. Furniture attack and rape accusation Brown left little out on and off the court so as not to attract negative attention. The wide receiver's career was relatively quiet and impressive in terms of sport in the first eight years. But in 2018, when he played for Pittsburgh, the first negative headlines came.

Brown threw furniture from the 14th floor, nearly hitting a two-year-old child. The move to Oakland in 2019 finally got the avalanche rolling. There, Brown was noticed by missing several training sessions and his stubbornness in wanting to continue wearing his helmet, which was now banned by the league. He was released in September 2019, and the same fate befell him a few weeks later with the New England Patriots.

Brown was released by New England. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Michael Reaves

But his personal misconduct may have been more serious than his sporting misconduct. According to many fans, Brown simply belongs in prison and not on a football field. Over time, new allegations of rape and threats against the NFL star emerged. In a statement in 2019, Brown's lawyer rejected the allegations against his client at the time as false. Back in the race thanks to Brady None of this stopped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers led by superstar Tom Brady from signing Brown for a low base salary compared to his previous contracts. He was suspended by the league for the first eight weeks of the season. Violation of the Code of Conduct. Then Brown took off in sports and now finds himself in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I proved it not only to my doubters, but also to myself. I can still play football at the highest level,” Brown said. It's about controlling his emotions. “You can’t be a slingshot when someone attacks you. You have to forgive and be optimistic.” On the hunt for the first Super Bowl ring With this new attitude, Brown now wants his first Super Bowl ring. He also has Brady to thank for this opportunity. He at least sees Brown's sporting qualities as first-class. “He has an incredible football IQ,” says the 43-year-old. “There is simply a good connection between Antonio and I. It started with the fact that I had no prejudices or ideas about how something could work. I’m just trying to get to know someone first.”

Despite all the warm words, it is also clear that Brady's only concern is winning his seventh Super Bowl. And Brown simply gives him another first-class receiving station alongside Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. That's why the Bucs are making a real effort to put Brown in a good light. “His attitude and work ethic are just spectacular,” manager Jason Licht said. Financially, the triumph in the Super Bowl would be worth it for Brown. He would get a bonus of $750.000 - and wouldn't even have to play for it.

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For many, he doesn't belong in the Super Bowl, but in prison

After scandalous years, Antonio Brown is back and is about to reach the Super Bowl. For critics, however, he doesn't belong on the football field, but in prison.

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