Antonio Brown’s temper tantrum is a great big nothing burger

It’s time to make some ultimatums Steelers Nation.

Would you rather have a player who doesn’t actively get into contract disputes? Who consistently plays at a high level? Who appears to always have the team above his own interests?

Yeah, yeah. I know you’re mulling that last one over after Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown sent a Gatorade container sailing on the sidelines Sunday. But hear me out: is this really anything to get worked up about?

Let’s rewind for a second. Is there anything you’re particularly passionate about?

Chances are, if you’re reading this, then you are a pretty hardcore Steelers fan.

Now, putting your fandom into perspective with playing on the field, how many of you went bonkers when Ben Roethlisberger missed Antonio Brown on this play?

I’d also like to know everyone’s reaction when an overturned catch was called an interception on the field.

Did you jump off the couch? Did you punch a wall? Did you laugh? Cry? Scream?!

Then I think we can all sympathize with where Antonio Brown is coming from. Think about it: the Steelers are trying to beat a fierce division rival in a place where they haven’t won since 2012. Every little nuance mattered in this game and missing a wide-open Brown could’ve been the difference between winning and losing in a closer contest.

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown

Now, did AB need to take out his frustration on the sports drink jug? I don’t think so. But at the same time, Gatorade is used in celebratory instances, so why not the opposite?

As for Antonio walking away from Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley… that’s also a great big nothing burger too. AB was taking a walk. Let me get away. Let me cool off.

Did he continue his outburst for much longer?

No.

And even funnier is that most of us missed Todd Haley’s reaction!

Thus, this was venting frustration. It wasn’t a prolonged event. In the moment it may have appeared it was all about AB, but if you think outside the box, and realize what would’ve happened if Big Ben had found his receiver, rather than not convert on third down, then I think we can all understand how that’s bigger than one person and was actually a show of emotion toward helping Pittsburgh win at Baltimore.

In other words, don’t make this small scene a large one. It’s a great big nothing burger that will be forgotten by next Monday.


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