On Sunday afternoon, the newly paid and donned Raider let loose some harsh words that spoke poorly of his former teammate, JuJu Smith-Schuster. His words were prompted after an exchange of words with (former) fans on Twitter reminding AB that Smith-Schuster, not Brown, was the 2018 Most Valuable Player for the Steelers.
In a tweet, Brown referenced Smith-Schuster’s last minute fumble from the 2018 season in the Steeler’s 31-28 loss to the Saints, writing “[Smith-Schuster] fumbled the whole post season in the biggest game of year.”
Smith-Schuster was quick to respond, first mimicking an earlier, and transparently ironic post by AB. A proclamation to “Keep your emotions off the internet.” Smith-Schuster added that “All [he] ever did was show [Brown] love and respect,” later sharing a quote from Mark Twain, advising that one should “never argue with a fool.”
In a vexatious attempt of self-vindication, AB later posted an old DM from Smith-Schuster, who at the time was still playing at USC, revealing a genuine admiration towards Brown in his younger days. The post had the exact opposite effect that Brown intended, adding further sympathy to Smith-Schuster, derided by a former mentor.
AB’s words struck a cord in more than just Smith-Schuster. Justin Reid, a safety for the Texans, tweeted that he couldn’t wait to “smash” AB on the field. Rams’ new veteran safety Eric Weddle, a widely respected player in the league, tweeted that AB was showing his “true colors” adding that he has “[n]o respect” for Brown.
On the NFL Network, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey told Andrew Siciliano that AB’s words were “Unlike anybody who’s a professional athlete” adding that he initially thought the tweets were fake.
Adding to the Steelers’ attempt to thwart the Kardashians from their monopolization of spectacle, Le’Veon Bell later posted a text from his former number two and heir apparent James Connor, who wrote to Bell that “[Bell] was always a real one, never talked bad about [another teammate] and was always solid.”
The message clearly struck Bell, who noted that Connor’s words hit him “so differently.” The message shows a stark contrast in how the relationships amongst the veterans and their respective positional rookies have unfolded, and under oddly similar circumstances.
AB has been extremely vocal in his transition to the AFC West. He is giving the Steelers’ locker room plenty of bulletin board material for the 2019 season. His harsh criticism of Ben Roethlisberger, and now of Smith-Schuster, ought to have Raiders personnel somewhat concerned. Two days prior to the start of the offseason program for the Raiders, this kind of noise is the last thing a program in the middle of critical rebuilding needs.
As if he didn’t have enough pressure to perform in the 2019 season, Mr. Big Checks has given himself little room for error on the field going forward.
