No one is going to argue that talented NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is his own worst enemy. His career is marked by questionable judgment, erratic behavior on and off the field, and, seemingly, attempts to sabotage a lucrative football career. This has led both a former agent and the mother of his three children to question his mental health. Some have even questioned whether Brown’s behavior could be related to CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), where repeated trauma to the head inhibits normal brain function and impulse control.
The latest chapter involves Brown arrested for a charge of felony burglary with battery, which has a potential life in prison sentence if convicted. The incident in question involved a truck driver moving Brown’s possessions to his home in the Miami area.
According to various news reports, Brown and his trainer allegedly battered the driver who wouldn’t give Brown his stuff until he paid $4,000 owed to the moving company. Brown reputedly threw rocks at the truck and subsequently removed his property from the truck. After repeatedly ignoring calls and knocks at the door from law enforcement, Brown eventually turned himself in and is now out on a $110,000 bond.
Affecting other parts of his life
This incident involving the truck driver was just days after a profanity-laced tirade against the mother of his children and law enforcement called to the scene of the domestic disturbance.
Criminal charges have a way of piling up and impacting other seemingly unrelated parts of the defendant’s life. While Brown has not previously spent a lot of time in court, his reputation has preceded him, leading his attorney to claim that the client was “overcharged.” This charge also impacts other areas as well:
- The mother of his children has now requested sole custody because she believes Brown is an unfit parent.
- The NFL takes a dim view on legal troubles involving felony charges of violence, which could further complicate Brown’s return to the football field for the 2020 season.
Athletes face many challenges off the field
It remains to be seen whether Brown will be able to return to the NFL. But what is clear is that high profile athletes make good targets for the media and law enforcement. It is generally best for athletes to defend their innocence and/or clear their name so that problems off the field do not overshadow their work on the field.