Former Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown announces his retirement (again)

Antonio Brown has not been part of an NFL team since his unceremonious release from the New England Patriots last September, but he still finds a way into the headlines on a semi-regular basis. The latest chapter of the saga was written today: Brown took to social media to announce his retirement from pro football — the second time he made that decision after already calling it a career following his departure from the Patriots.

Brown originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010 and went on to establish himself as one of the best wide receivers of his era. A member of the league’s Team of the 2010s, he was named to seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro squads during his time in Pittsburgh, and between 2013 and 2018 had six straight seasons of at least 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards.

In 2019, however, his career took a turn for the worse. A disgruntled Brown was traded to the then-Oaklannd Raiders, but was released following an event-filled offseason that included him threatening to retire over his helmet and eventually forcing the team to cut him. The Patriots subsequently picked up the ultra-talented pass catcher, but after one game during which he caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown, he was cut after sexual assault accusations against him became public.

Brown announced his first retirement from the league after he failed to find a new team following his release from the Patriots, and now is apparently once more ready to move on.