Steelers Somehow Get More Dramatic After Antonio Brown Doesn't Show Up To Work...
In addition to being winless and grouchy, Antonio Brown is absent. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports today that the Steelers receiver was nowhere to be found at the team’s facilities Monday. No wonder he had no media availability:
From the Post-Gazette:
It is not clear if Brown’s absence was excused by coach Mike Tomlin, but several sources indicated they did not know why Brown didn’t show up with the rest of his teammates for meetings and film review.
Brown had an underwhelming (for him) performance in Sunday’s 42-37 loss to the Chiefs, and was spotted arguing with coaches Randy Fichtner and Darryl Drake on the sidelines. The receiver was clearly still stewing Monday morning, because he tweeted this in response a former Steelers flack:
For what it’s worth, Mike Tomlin said Brown hasn’t actually asked to be traded. The coach confirmed that Brown wasn’t present on Monday, but also wouldn’t elaborate on why, or whether the absence was excused. (That sure makes it sound like it wasn’t!) Tomlin said he planned to speak with Brown today. The team’s off today but will reconvene Wednesday.
Perhaps Brown will return without further fuss, and the Steelers will revert to being only somewhat dramatic because they don’t want to pay their lead running back. Meanwhile, Le’Veon Bell is making the most of his holdout by jet-skiing in Miami and throwing a release party for his EP:
https://deadspin.com/steelers-somehow-get-more-dramatic-after-antonio-brown-1829140017
Tomlin confirms Antonio Brown's Monday absence
The drama that began Sunday with Antonio Brown doesn't appear to be slowing.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that the star receiver did not show up at the team's facility for work on Monday. The coach didn't provide further details and would not say whether Brown was excused from activities Monday.
"I'm looking forward to visiting with him today and discussing that and some other things," Tomlin said. "I'm not going to get into the details of why he wasn't here [or if he was] excused. I just assume leave those things in house.
"I understand sometimes we got some negativity. We lost some football games. There was some negative exchanges on the sideline, that frustration associated with not playing well and not winning -- I understand all that. There's opportunities for us for respond to it particularly the early portions of the year to utilize negative experiences ... to educate our team."
On Sunday, Brown got into a verbal spat with Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Finchter during Pittsburgh's 42-37 loss, and the receiver left the stadium before reporters were allowed in the locker room. On Monday, Brown replied to a critic (and former Steelers employee) by asking to be traded as a test of the criticism of his value to the team.
Tomlin confirms Antonio Brown's Monday absence - NFL.com
The Steelers once one of the premier classy organizations in ALL of sports is now a circus with the Tomlin as the lead clown.
