negative athlete behavior needs proper consequences

By: Michael Nagle

When talking about the ego of a sports player one name always comes to mind: Antonio Brown. 

A wide receiver for 11 years on four teams, Brown, today, is more known for his antics on the field and off than he is for his play-making ability that defined his early career.

​When Brown decided to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers, he didn't make a big show out of it. Brown signed with the Oakland Raiders only to be cut for problems with his attitude. Brown signed with New England and played for one season there. Brown went into “retirement” and didn't play for the Patriots ever again. 

In the 2020-2021 season Brown signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he enjoyed a smooth ride to the playoffs, winning the super bowl and having an overall great season. The next season did not go as smoothly with Brown not wanting to play in most of the games that took place over the season. 

In week 17 of the NFL regular season Tampa Bay was playing at MetLife Stadium in a game against the New York Jets. Suddenly Brown decided that he wasn't going to play anymore.
 
After not playing for the entire game Brown took off all his gear and ran across the field causing a delay in the game. Brown claims that he didn't because he was injured, but failed to tell the coaching staff about it.

So why should players with horrible attitudes be paid millions of dollars for being little to no help to their teams? NFL teams should be more strict about what they tolerate from the players, especially if they don't bring that much to the team and refuse to play in big games.

His actions not only show his immaturity but they also are showing younger athletes who look up to him the type of behavior that would be unacceptable in any other job or profession. There is no logical justification for his on-field behavior during the Jets game. It is unfair that some professional athletes, who earn far more money than those in a myriad of other professions, are not held to higher behavioral standards. The NFL should have gone further in doling out its punishment. 

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