It is time for Antonio Brown to grow up, but don't hold your breath

By Mark Madden

http://www.timesonline.com/sports

October 6, 2017

Antonio Brown is a jerk.

More colorful words apply. But this column is required to be family-friendly.

Excuses are made. Enabling is done.

“AB is just competitive.”

So is Sidney Crosby. But Crosby isn’t a jerk.

“AB works so hard.”

So does Sidney Crosby. But Crosby isn’t a jerk.

“AB is just having fun.”

If that’s true, it’s often at his teammates’ expense.

“AB is the best receiver in football.”

That’s right. But he’s still a jerk.

Why don’t people call Brown what he obviously is?

Brown’s toxicity might ultimately trump his talent. Narcissistic superstar receivers don’t win Super Bowls. Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Chad Ochocinco didn’t. Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. haven’t.

Maybe that’s coincidence. Or not.

Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger criticized Brown after Brown threw a water cooler (pictured above), then abruptly pulled away from offensive coordinator Todd Haley while on the sideline during this past Sunday’s win at Baltimore.

Brown was mad because Roethlisberger didn’t see Brown break free on a route.

But Brown was targeted nine times that game. That’s a season high for most receivers.

Said former teammate Ryan Clark, “Antonio Brown loves Antonio Brown. God forbid that a guy that averages over 10 targets [per game] is missed one time. The fans, they have adoration for him that is not necessarily a depiction of who he is. He’s selfish.”

Some blame Tomlin and Roethlisberger for taking Brown to task. Tomlin exhorted Brown to “be a professional.” Roethlisberger said that Brown is “causing a distraction none of us really need.”

Perhaps Tomlin and Roethlisberger could have let it go.

Or perhaps Tomlin and Roethlisberger have too often let it go. Perhaps they’ve tried to deal with the situation in private, to no significant or lasting satisfaction. Going public is often a last resort in predicaments like this.

Each has the right to criticize. Tomlin is the coach. Roethlisberger is a captain and 14-year vet with two Super Bowl rings. Roethlisberger said that speaking out about Brown’s antics is “one of the roles of being a captain.” He’s right.

Blaming anyone but Brown for this flurry of disturbance is silly. Brown is ground zero. It’s on him, period. Like always.

Brown’s immaturity on the sideline at Baltimore is no isolated incident. How about:

*Facebook Live in the locker room while Tomlin spoke after the playoff win at Kansas City.

*The boo-boo face when Brown didn’t score the first touchdown in the AFC final.

*Penalties for unnecessary celebration when that was prohibited.

Brown would rather have 10 receptions in a loss than two catches in a victory. Does anybody even remotely doubt that?

Brown shows no sign of growing up. Giving Brown a five-year contract worth nearly $73 million this past off-season guaranteed he wouldn’t.

Brown is a brilliant receiver. He should be why Roethlisberger plays a few more years. But Brown might be why Roethlisberger quits after 2017. Roethlisberger is 35, and the Steelers’ locker room is like a junior-high cafeteria. He’s had a Hall-of-Fame career. Who needs the aggravation?

Brown apologized for Sunday’s actions on Twitter. He doesn’t mean it.

Brown only speaks to the media on Friday. So his elaboration comes today, if ever. Everyone waits with bated breath.

Brown won’t let it happen again. Until next time.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).