Sad saga of Antonio Brown

There’s an old proverb that one bad apple can spoil a barrel of good apples. I’m no farmer, but I understand the concept and so does Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians. That’s why he’s saying there’s no place on his team for Antonio Brown.

Brown said on Instagram earlier in a week that he would sign with the Bucs now that Tom Brady was the team’s quarterback. Brown used the word “expeditiously,” which would indicate his recent enrollment in a junior college is paying dividends.

But Ariens said in an interview yesterday that he has no interest in Brown. When pressed, he added:  “I just know him, and — it’s not a fit in our locker room. Brown, 31, has been out of the NFL since the Patriots cut him last September.

I’ve always enjoyed reading western novels and I remember a quote from Max Brand. “Trouble rides double with some men.” This seems to describe Brown, who is being investigated by the NFL on allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment.

Brown has been involved in close to 20 incidents involving the Hollywood (Fla.) Police department since December. One ended with Brown and his trainer being charged in an alleged burglary and battery incident involving a moving truck driver.

Brown appears to continue unrepentant since becoming a malcontent in Pittsburgh. In spite of his proven track record as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, the Steelers cut ties with Brown after he went AWOL for two at the end of the 2018 season.

The Raiders eagerly signed him during the offseason, but Brown broke every rule of training camp truancy and violated all of the respect-for-authority norms. So the Raiders cut him and the Patriots quickly signed him before they discovered the truth.

Brown needs help. Desperately, He said recently he is surrounding himself with people that are focused on helping him improve his mental health. But it wasn’t his idea. Mental health evaluations were required in order for Brown to post bail in Florida.

“I’ve been talking to my therapist,” he said. “I’ve been talking to people that don’t have no agendas, people who just allow me to express myself and listen to me and don’t give me feedback.” Unfortunately, this does not sound like a man who has changed.