Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier appeared on The Ringer podcast recently.
He was surprisingly frank about his assessment of Antonio Brown based on his years sharing a locker room with him.
Here are the highlights of what he said.
All For Attention
Shazier described AB’s persona as being all about attention on him and for him both on and off the field.
In Shazier’s words:
“The biggest thing for me on Antonio is he’s all for attention. He’s super about attention, man on the field, off the field.”
Surrounded By Yes Men
Ryan Shazier talked about how he was blocked by AB on social media.
“I got blocked on Twitter. I got blocked on Instagram. Like, bro, I wished you good luck. I’m not showing no beef, not throwing no shade on you, but if you want friends who are going to tell you what you want to hear, that’s not me.”
In the end, Shazier labeled AB a “wishy-washy friend”.
Chances He Will Help The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shazier made an interesting prediction about how successful AB’s tenure will be with Tampa Bay.
“The moment he makes it about himself, Tampa’s not going to go to the Super Bowl.”
Shazier and AB As Teammates
Ryan Shazier and AB were teammates from 2014-2017.
AB was his teammate when Shazier suffered the devastating spinal injury against the Bengals on December 4, 2017, that essentially ended his playing career.
He continued to support the Steelers in various ways, often on the sidelines, until he announced his retirement from the NFL in September 2020.
All that means is that Ryan Shazier has seen AB behind the scenes and knows him well.
It’s clear Shazier is not buying AB’s proposed new attitude.
Whether Shazier is right or wrong is yet to be known.
AB
What we do know is that Antonio Brown is a phenomenal talent.
Most rec yds in NFL history
(First 133 career games)1. Julio Jones (12,763)
2. Calvin Johnson (11,405)
3. Antonio Brown (11,263)
4. Torry Holt (11,141)
5. Jerry Rice (11,093) pic.twitter.com/SxoLwyF3e6— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 8, 2020
He likes to compete with the best.
Antonio Brown was asked if there was strong interest from other teams and why did he choose to play with the #Buccaneers, here's his answer. pic.twitter.com/5NbUGGdU92
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 4, 2020
Oakland and New England already have given him chances.
He has worked with Tom Brady before so maybe that’s the attraction.
Word has it that he was living with Brady.
#Bucs Tom Brady on Antonio Brown living with him.
"He’s just getting settled and l know he's looking for places. It's nice to have him around…It's a big transition for him moving across the state not knowing anyone. I'm just trying to be a good teammate and help somebody out''— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) November 3, 2020
Tampa Bay fans will keep an open mind about him especially after the dumpster fire of a game the Bucs played on Sunday Night Football against the Saints.
AB had a pass for the Saints game because he just joined the team, and the wheels were off the bus on every part of Tampa’s game plan.
But next week the scrutiny and pressure will be there.
Let’s see how he handles it, win or lose.
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