SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Once the NFL’s foremost diva receiver, Terrell Owens called the Antonio Brown saga “unfortunate” but warned that the former Pittsburgh Steelers superstar deserves “proper due process” amid sexual assault allegations.
Owens said he doesn’t “condone any and everything that happened” with Brown – who was released Friday by the New England Patriots and is expected to become the subject of a league investigation – but would prefer to share any advice with the superstar wide receiver in a private conversation.
Brown tweeted on Sunday morning that he “will not be playing in the NFL anymore,” blaming league owners after the Oakland Raiders voided a contract with $30 million guaranteed and the Patriots released him before a $5 million signing bonus was due.
Will not be playing in the @NFL anymore these owners can cancel deals do whatever they want at anytime we will see if the @NFLPA hold them accountable sad they can just void guarantees anytime going on 40m 2 months will see if they pay up !
— AB (@AB84) September 22, 2019
Terrell Owens, who will be inducted into San Francisco 49ers HallOf Fame today, is asked about his advice on Antonio Brown’s troubles. pic.twitter.com/XEQ3HL3iwh
— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) September 22, 2019
“I don’t know what I would say right now,” Owens said Sunday before the Steelers played the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, where he will be inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame. “I would like to talk to him personally. We all go through life and we’re going to make mistakes. There are things we’re going to look back on and wish we’d done differently. I’m sure he’ll get to that point at some point in his life but he has to do what’s best for himself and his family. It’s unfortunate what’s going on with him right now, but I understand to a degree what he’s been doing and what’s going on with him.”
Britney Taylor, who formerly trained Brown, filed a federal lawsuit on Sept. 10 against the seven-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro wide receiver. Brown also was the subject of a Sports Illustrated story that alleged further misconduct.
Owens called Brown a “good friend of mine” – both were represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus – and he drew notoriety during his 16-year Hall of Fame career for filing grievances in contract disputes with the 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles suspended him for “conduct detrimental to the team” after he was publicly critical of quarterback Donovan McNabb.
My follow-up question to Terrell Owens on his thoughts about Antonio Brown. pic.twitter.com/oCO0JhW8cf
— Kevin Gorman (@KGorman_Trib) September 22, 2019
“I will say again that the guy is innocent until proven guilty,” Owens said. “Everything that has transpired with him – and things keep coming out – with public opinion, they’re automatically going to convict him and consider him guilty without the proper due process.”
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