Dear Antonio Brown, You could have been such a wonderful role model ... instead

... of being an object of pity and derision

Dear Antonio,

You had such a great opportunity to become a tremendous role model for so many. You arose from a difficult background to become a great football player because of your God-given talents: speed, athleticism, and skill. 

In addition, your work ethic was very impressive. You rose from a sixth-round draft pick to become an outstanding receiver. 

However, what you lacked was character. That is difficult to build with a background like yours, but it can be done. Many people in the NFL Hall of Fame and those who win Super Bowls have accomplished that. 

However, that lack of character was what has precluded you from becoming a role model. You allowed your ego and self-centeredness to destroy what could have been a great Horatio Alger-type of story. 

What you have done in your personal life and in your professional one after becoming successful has been disappointing for us Steeler fans who so wanted you to be a winner. 

You have denigrated your teammates, your coaches, your owners, and most important, your children and mothers of your kids. You have been a horrible example for all of them. 

When you lack character, you lose the respect of others. What you never realized is that the most important aspect of a person's life is respect. You have become so anathema to your teammates and others that no team was willing to part with a first-round pick in a trade for you, no one was even willing to give a second-rounder. 

Truth be told, the Steelers would have preferred to not have to trade you. However, no one in the locker room could trust or respect you. 

That failure to obtain a first or second-round draft pick for you shows that while the Raiders are desperate for an outstanding receiver, they are leery about having you on their team. They have three first-round picks that they could have used for you, but they obviously will use one or more of them to draft an outstanding receiver or two instead of relying on you. 

Now, you are with one of the worst teams in the NFL. That is called justice. 

Between you and Le’Veon Bell, two players who never understood the concept of “team,” we have never come close to another Super Bowl.

Now, the Steelers are rid of both of you [… if only the Steelers would now look for another head coach, one who was a severe enabler to the two of you because of his lack of discipline.]

The Facebook Live post after the Chiefs’ win a few years ago should have ended your Steeler career. But, the Steelers lack the leadership to make tough decisions. 

Now, they parted with you and received nothing in return, though we have had some good third and fifth-round picks in the past. 

What is telling is that no team in the league respects you. Hopefully, you will be out of the league in a few years — and your money will be gone. Wish I could feel sorry for you, but I cannot. 

You could have been such a great role model. Instead, you are now an object of derision, pity, and antipathy — and you deserve that. 

https://triblive.com/sports/antonio-brown-will-be-traded-to-oakland-raiders-gets-new-contract/