Antonio Brown aired his doubts about friendship with Tom Brady

In his latest public statements, the out of contract wide receiver brought into question his friendship with former teammate Tom Brady.

Antonio Brown has doubts about his friendship with Tom Brady

It's been just under a week since Antonio Brown's now infamous jog across the field - mid game - as he brought his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an end in controversial fashion. Since that time the talented but problematic player has had quite a bit to say. After initially accusing the Bucs of a cover up and suggesting that head coach Bruce Arians had tried to force him to play while injured, he then went on to imply that Tom Brady and his personal trainer had attempted to swindle him out of $100k. Yet it now seems that wasn't enough.

In statements made during a podcast on Friday - a day after his official release from the Bucs - Brown once again took aim at Brady, as he questioned just how genuine their friendship actually is. It should, however,  be noted that throughout the last week Brady has maintained his support for Brown. "If Tom Brady's my boy, why am I not playing on an honest salary?" Brown said on Friday. "You my boy though, right? [Rob] Gronkowski his boy, right? How much he get paid? So why is AB on a prove it deal?" Brown went on to add that his relationship with Brady was superficial and was only rooted in what he could produce on field for the Buccaneers.

The wide receiver's comments are of course in direct contrast to those he made following last February's win over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. "Tom is a great guy," Brown said at the time. "He's been in my corner since Day 1. A big brother to me. Always believed in me. Took me under his wing. Helped me get the right perspective. ...It's been a tremendous honor working with Tom. He's a legend. He's a winner. He's a good leader. One of the best human beings I know. I can't speak enough what he's meant to me."

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Again it should be noted that Brady actively pushed - despite criticism - for the Buccaneers to sign Brown despite Brown's known off-field issues. Indeed it was due to said issues that he started the 2020 season with an eight game suspension.

What now for Antonio Brown?

After making his feelings about the Bucs and Brady clear, Brown went on to say that he was the best player, 'receiver-wise,' that the Buccaneers had. It need not be mentioned of course, that Buccaneers who are 12-4 on the season, have only been able to count on Brown in 7 games due to injury, as well as a three-game suspension that he served as a result of violating the NFL's covid-19 policy. Officially, Brown is now without a team and for all intents and purposes a free agent. Once regarded as the best receiver in the league, finding a new team may yet prove difficult as many will have doubts about his temperament, following the events of the past week.