Antonio Brown, the former NFL wide receiver who has made headlines for his troubled history both on and off the field, is looking to chart a new career path—this time in politics. Brown, who is unlikely to ever play professional football again, recently expressed his desire to work for Donald Trump, specifically seeking a role in the former president’s administration.
Brown took to X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, to announce his intentions. He posted an animated image of himself holding an American flag while standing alongside Trump and Elon Musk. In his post, Brown outlined his vision for how he could make a difference by working with athletes.
“Sending in my application to Donald Trump for advisor and overseer of athletes giving back to their communities,” Brown wrote. “We as athletes can do so much for the communities we came from, including being role models for the next generation and giving back. We can make a difference.”
The idea of Antonio Brown becoming a role model for athletes has been met with skepticism, given his troubled past. Over the years, Brown has faced a series of legal and personal issues that have overshadowed his once-promising football career. Despite his undeniable talent on the field, his behavior off the field ultimately led to his departure from the NFL.
In 2019, Brown was accused of sexually assaulting his former trainer on three separate occasions, allegations that tarnished his reputation and marked the beginning of his downfall. He was also accused of sending threatening text messages to another woman who alleged sexual misconduct, further complicating his legal troubles.
Brown’s legal issues extended beyond these accusations. He was sued for allegedly assaulting a moving truck driver in 2020, and an arrest warrant was issued for a domestic battery incident in the same year. Additionally, Brown was caught on camera exposing himself to a woman in a hotel pool in Dubai, adding to the list of troubling incidents that have defined his public image in recent years.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown made headlines for all the wrong reasons once again when he was found to have supplied the NFL with a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. The incident led to his suspension, and not long afterward, he effectively ended his NFL career by dramatically jogging off the field during a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, removing his jersey and leaving the stadium in the middle of play.
Brown’s behavior has not only cost him his NFL career but also other opportunities within sports. His attempt at owning the Albany Empire, a National Arena League team, ended disastrously.
Brown failed to pay required fees and fines, ultimately leading to the league kicking him out. His tenure as an owner was filled with turmoil and controversy, highlighting the difficulties he faced in transitioning from player to team executive.
Brown’s interest in working for Donald Trump is not entirely out of left field. Both Brown and Trump have faced significant legal challenges and controversies throughout their careers, and both have been no strangers to the spotlight, albeit often for negative reasons.
Trump, for instance, faced a civil lawsuit from advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual abuse in 1996. A jury found Trump liable in the case, drawing further comparisons between the former president and the embattled former wide receiver.
Moreover, Brown’s failed ownership of the Albany Empire could be seen as something he shares in common with Trump, who was widely blamed for the collapse of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 1980s. Brown’s disastrous run as a team owner may have given him an insight into the challenges of running a professional sports organization—something Trump experienced firsthand as well.
While Antonio Brown’s ambition to work in politics and his desire to help athletes give back to their communities may come from a genuine place, his past actions make it difficult for many to view him as a positive role model.
Given his history, it remains to be seen whether Brown will actually find a role in a Trump administration, or if this is simply another headline-grabbing stunt from a player who has found himself repeatedly in the midst of controversy.
Regardless of his future endeavors, Antonio Brown’s journey serves as a cautionary tale of wasted talent and the consequences of poor decisions.
Whether his next chapter involves working in politics or finding another path, one thing is certain—Antonio Brown remains a polarizing figure, with many questioning if he is truly capable of turning his life around and contributing meaningfully to society.
