The New Orleans Saints worked out free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown last years friday, but the wideout said on Instagram Live he believed the team pulled a “publicity stunt” by bringing him in.
In a video posted to social media shot while getting in some cardio, Brown addressed his recent workout with the Saints, in a not-so-flattering way for the Saints.
“I know I got a really crusty tone lately,” Brown says. “But really I’m at peace. I just don’t like the lack of respect in the world. You know, everyone has deadlines. I guess the NFL don’t have a deadline for me, so. 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. I don’t have a team. But it is what it is. We don’t seek comfort. We don’t make excuses. I’m [going to] just keep committing to be the difference. ‘Cause I know I’m the difference.”
AB says the Saints bringing him in for a workout was a “publicity stunt” and Sean Payton knows “the film that being left behind” pic.twitter.com/C3ddwacfv4
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 31, 2019
The NFL is investigating Brown after sexual assault accusations were made against him.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday NFL Countdown that Brown “caught every single thing that was thrown to him” but that the team would not sign him until the NFL’s investigation is complete. Schefter further said there was “no clarity” on when a decision would be made.
Brown referenced the investigation in the 55-second clip.
“Everyone has deadlines, but I guess the NFL don’t have a deadline for me,” Brown said. The wideout then said he appreciated Saints head coach Sean Payton bringing him in to work out.
Brown’s eventually going to have to learn to let the investigation play out, and just remain quiet, behind the scenes, in hopes of getting back with an NFL team next season. All this talk isn’t going to help him going forward.