Dear Antonio Brown: A letter from a Pittsburgh Steelers fan

Nine years and 11,207 yards of pure love, and nothing is going to change when Antonio Brown leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hi Antonio, can I call you Antonio? I’ll stick with Antonio, I hope that’s okay. My name is Alex Fasano, I was born and raised on Long Island, NY, seven long hours from the great city of Pittsburgh. Football has been my absolute favorite thing in the world ever since I saw Kordell Stewart run (and throw) for touchdowns. As you can imagine, growing up a Steelers fan in New York was tough, but I loved it. Anyway, back to you…

Fast forward to 2010, a young, over-looked wide receiver from Central Michigan, entered the NFL Draft instead of finishing his senior year. A sixth-round pick, you took the number 84, and with an epic explanation let everyone know that you were special. I mean come on, your first touchdown was a reverse-kickoff return for 89 yards! I remember that season too, you had some CLUTCH catches in the playoffs that got us to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, you guys lost and that was tough. I remember being at my own super bowl party, I was a sophomore in high school. Nonetheless, I knew the Steelers were going to be great for years to come, and I was right…

Since my high school graduation in June of 2013, you, Antonio Brown, have DOMINATED the sport of football. Six straight seasons of at least 1,200 receiving yards, 100 catches, eight touchdowns, all while going to the pro-bowl AND being an All-Pro four times! I have no regret or remorse when I say, that Antonio Brown is the greatest wide receiver I ever had the privilege to watch and root for. I respect your talent and know without a doubt that you will go down as one of the greatest. You guys were the Killer B’s! Ben, Brown, and Bell, you three could’ve been legendary. That being said…

I’ve been a Steelers fan for 23 years and counting. The first real Super Bowl I watched was Tom Brady taking down McNabb and the Eagles. A few weeks before that, I saw a man named Hines Ward ball his eyes out on camera because he couldn’t win a championship for his friend Jerome Bettis. I recall thinking how real it was and what kind of impact that could have. Next year, the Steelers win a championship. Huh, it’s amazing what some people can do, especially now, with digital media and the always changing social atmosphere. Antonio, you are absolutely a part of this…

The Facebook Live, the Twitter posts, the not showing up to games, the calling out players for not respecting you, all of it. You have caused a rift in the world of sports…and that’s okay. I see you as something good, but not perfect. You did not conduct yourself in a professional manner, one that contradicts Pittsburgh Steeler tradition. This causes the backlash and spitting on your legacy as a Steeler.

However, you’ve shown yourself as an independent athlete who sees more to himself than just a player. An influencer, a role model, someone who won’t take anyone’s crap. We saw LeBron James do more than just “shut up and dribble”, while Kaepernick also made his presence known. Now, maybe the Steelers (and the rest of the league) will take note and have discussions to help move things forward and prevent instances like this from happening.

I’m looking at your teammate Big Ben here Antonio. I know he’s at fault here too, you’ve made that clear. It just reinforces what YOU, Antonio Brown, can do. Not everyone is going to like what you say, and that’s fine. The world needs people like you Antonio, who change landscapes and makes things happen. I know you will always have a great respect for the Steelers organization and the Rooney family as well. While I admit, I wasn’t always happy with how you handled yourself, you truly are one of a kind…

Antonio Brown, I consider you the greatest player I’ve ever had the privilege to watch.

Good luck in the future AB! Chest Up, Eyes Up, Pray Up.

–   Alex Fasano