After failing to appear work on Monday, Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver Antonio Brown addressed the media on Thursday, and he didn’t hide his frustrations at the team’s poor start this season.
“We haven’t won a game yet. For me as a Steeler, that’s unacceptable,” Brown said. “I’m not on the sideline begging for the ball or making statements you guys make. I’m pissed off. We’re losing. We suck.”
Contrary to numerous reports circulating news media this week, Brown was adamant that he does not want to be traded from Pittsburgh. News that the 30-year-old wanted a trade from the Steelers started last weekend after his reply to a former workmate on twitter suggested he wanted to be traded.
Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, also denied that the receiver wanted to move away from Pittsburgh.
“The tweet yesterday was not in reference to anything other than Antonio responding to someone he knows,” Rosenhaus told an ESPN reporter. “It was not directed towards a trade or wanting to be traded. Any idea he was asking for a trade is not accurate.”
Venting his anger to the media, Brown made it clear that his heart was in Pittsburgh.
“You guys make assumptions about my emotions. You guys don’t know me at all. Everyone in that locker room knows what I stand for and what I’m about. I’m committed to this program, this organization,” Brown said. “I’m fully here; I go to work every day. I’m about my business, and I don’t take it for granted.”
Brown did not appear for Monday practice after the Steelers lost 42-37 to Kansas. He said his team was informed but Coach Mike Tomlin denied afterward and insisted he had punished the receiver for failing to appear for practice.
