If you’re a sports fanatic or one who frequents the quirky offerings shared on Instagram, you’re probably already aware of the recent meltdown suffered by the talented former NFL star Antonio Brown. And from the looks of things, if he ever thought he had a chance of getting back on the gridiron, with this latest in a serious of miscues and totally bad plays, he probably sealed the door on ever getting a chance to suit for a professional team again.
But just in case you missed it, Antonio went into a profanity-laced tirade early Monday morning hurling four-letter words and a whole lot more at police officers outside of his Hollywood, Florida home and at the mother of his three children. No, I didn’t stutter – his “three children.”
Then, adding insult to injury, Antonio, perhaps seeking to add more “color” to his already colorful life, decided to live-stream the disturbing incident on Instagram for our “viewing pleasure.”
In the video, he accuses his ex-girlfriend, Chelsie Kyriss, of attempting to steal a Bentley that was parked in his driveway after she picked up their children. After police were called to the scene and began to question Brown about the vehicle, he became incensed – even throwing a bag of penis-shaped gummy candies at the officers.
I didn’t know they sold candy like that, did you?
After calling his ex and the officers words that I would prefer not sharing, the children were seen getting into a patrol car while Brown yelled expressions of love at one of the kids.
Brown continues to spiral downward, caroming about in very bad places both emotionally and mentally with erratic outbursts, seemingly oblivious to the potential outcome of his forays. And you have to wonder how long he can maintain the stance that he just has “a few things to work out.”
He last played with the New England Patriots in September while caught up in sexual assault allegations and had a chance to sign with the New Orleans Saints at the end of the 2019 season but he dropped the ball on that opportunity as well.
Is this simply another case of an over-the-top egomaniac – a professional athlete who has been treated so judiciously and pumped amid so much pomp and circumstance up as the “second coming” that he believes that he can really walk on water? Or is Antonio Brown in real trouble?
I tend to lead toward the later.
While I know nothing about the relationship between him and his former girlfriend, and have even less interest in the details, it’s impossible to condone a father blasting his children’s mother outside in the cul-de-sac while the kids are forced to watch.
As for the Hollywood Police Department, Brown should be thankful that they didn’t toss him to the ground, zap him with their Taser and haul him off to the hoosegow. After all, history has shown that Black men in Florida, when in a conflict with law officials or other white men allegedly “standing their ground,” tend to suffer serious injury – including life-ending injuries.
However, in this instance, and perhaps due to his celebrity status, the police chose not to take the bait.
Antonio Brown may be a superb athlete. But he’s also, clearly, a very disturbed brother.
We should pray for him.
And we should tell our children that being a superstar carries great responsibility.
Even the mighty can fall from grace — just look at Antonio Brown’s Instagram post for evidence.