Antonio Brown would know a thing or two about publicity stunts.
The former New England Patriots wide receiver accused the Saints on Monday of using him for a “publicity stunt” after he was not signed by the team. Brown was one of six participants in a Dec. 27 workout for the team, to which he attended with a personal camera crew and entourage in tow. He took to social media to express his disappointment in an Instagram live video that apparently could not wait until after his cardio workout:
“I know I got a really crusty tone lately, but really I’m at peace,” Brown said. “I just don’t like the lack of respect in the world, you know? You know, everyone has deadlines. I guess the NFL don’t have a deadline for me. I appreciate Sean Payton and them guys for supporting me and bringing me out to work out, but I think it was a publicity stunt for them. Sean Payton know[s] the feeling of being left behind, not being able to interact with his team.”
Brown is referencing Saints head coach Sean Payton’s involvement in “bounty-gate” that incentivized players to deliberately exact violence on their opponents. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Payton for the entire 2012 season.
The Saints did end up signing receiver Tim White, who was involved in the same workout as Brown.
“The process is something we take seriously, and it’s important relative to the makeup of the team,” Payton said of Brown working out. “We’re doing our homework. I think part of that is credibility we’ve already established. There’s been a number of players that we’ve signed or drafted in years past. Some worked out, some haven’t.”
The 31-year old receiver has been stridently outspoken against the NFL Players Association and Goodell since his release from the Patriots on Sept. 20. He has not played since Week 2 while the league investigates allegations of sexual assault and rape made by former trainer Britney Taylor.
Brown would likely be placed on the Commissioner’s exempt list if he were signed pending the completion of that investigation, and a suspension remains a strong possibility.
“I don’t have a team. It is what it is,” Brown said.
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