First call: Antonio Brown lashes out again; a star wants fighting in football

In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we look at Antonio Brown’s latest shot at the Steelers from Oakland. Eminem thinks he has the answer for football. Tonight could prove to be pivotal in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

This won’t end

You didn’t think that Antonio Brown would stop taking shots at the Steelers on Twitter just because he left the team, did you?

Yeah. Me either. Mr. Big Chest sent out this gem Monday, seemingly unprovoked.

Trade you off the team why you in your sleep ! Y’all showed me nothing guaranteed! #84/7

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) March 25, 2019

I suppose Brown is referencing the trade to the Bills that never happened, mainly because of Brown’s refusal to go. That’s something else he brought up on social media recently.

View this post on Instagram

Stop playing #FakeNews #Historical

A post shared by Antonio Brown (@ab) on Mar 23, 2019 at 8:24pm PDT

By the way, I don’t know what “#84/7” means. Is that like saying 24/7? Or is that an “I’m better than Ben Roethlisberger” thing?

Maybe I’ll inquire during the next #AskAB segment. I’m sure whatever answer I get will be clear and coherent.

That’s … an idea

I know what you’re thinking. With all the problems in football these days, you are looking for a voice to cut through the din of trumpets to speak the voice of reason.

You are looking for a visionary to see the forest through the trees.

You are looking for … Eminem?

Yup. Slim Shady has come up with a way to fix football: Allow fighting! He sent a tweet to the AAF suggesting that would be the way to make their league worth watching on television.

DEAR @THEAAF,
PLEASE ENTERTAIN THIS THOUGHT REGARDING THE @AAFIRON @AAFEXPRESS GAME: ALLOWING THE PLAYERS TO ACTUALLY FIGHT WOULD BE KEY TO LEAGUE’S SUCCESS LIKE HOCKEY, I WOULD WATCH EVERY GAME (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO DETROIT TEAM YET - HINT). DON'T BLOW IT.
SINCERELY,
MARSHALL

— Marshall Mathers (@Eminem) March 26, 2019

Football players stopping play after every tackle to swing their fists into each other’s helmets? Nope. I can’t see a downside there at all.

Get Roger Goodell on the horn. Marshall has the answers.

No more McGregor?

Speaking of hitting people in the head, Conor McGregor apparently doesn’t want to do that anymore. Overnight, McGregor announced his retirement from MMA.

Again. I guess.

Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.
I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.
I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.
Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 26, 2019

McGregor also retired in 2016 but quickly returned. He has a brand of whiskey he has been marketing quite a bit lately and may venture down that path full time.

It was believed McGregor would fight for the UFC later in 2019. Shortly before his tweet, McGregor was on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” discussing a potential fight this summer.

McGregor was suspended from UFC for six months and fined $50,000 for a brawl following his bout in October with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

While you are away

The Penguins are enjoying a three-game winning streak with an off night.

They’ll keep an eye on the scoreboard to see what happens in the Eastern Conference standings. Two big games are on the slate. The Capitals host Carolina, and the Islanders visit Columbus.

Entering play Tuesday night, the Penguins and Islanders have 95 points each, tied for second in the Metropolitan Division. That’s just one point behind the division-leading Capitals.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are sitting in the top wild-card slot. That’s seventh overall. They have 91 points. The Blue Jackets are the first team currently out of the bracket with 86.

Eighth-seeded Montreal is also in action against Florida. The Canadiens have 88 points, two better than the Blue Jackets.