Stephen A. Smith blames Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) for former NFL player Antonio Brown's behavior, including his arrest for second-degree murder.
During an appearance on the Joe and Jada podcast released on Nov. 25, Smith — who has been very critical of Brown’s actions in the past — brought up his theory while discussing Brown’s case. “Personally, I think that’s what Antonio Brown is going through,” Smith said around the 8-minute mark. “That’s why he got arrested in Dubai.
“He hasn’t been the same since that hit with Vontaze Burfict when he was a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Smith continued. “His whole body seized up like Rigamortis.”
Smith went on to explain how he thought Brown guaranteed that he was suffering from CTE. “Remember when he was on the Raiders? I said, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Thursday. They got a Monday Night Football game. All he has to do is play and shut the fuck up, and by Tuesday afternoon, he’s guaranteed 29 million,” Smith said.
“He opened his mouth anyway, and they cut him before Tuesday,” Smith added.
The hit Smith was referring to — which he believes changed the course of Brown’s career — occurred in 2016, when Cincinnati Bengals player Vontaze Burfict struck Brown in the head during a game, causing a concussion.
When asked about the severity of the hit in 2020, Brown downplayed that it had impacted him permanently. “He didn't hit me that hard,” said Brown. “You know, I got up and walked off the field. We won the game, right? I was alright.”
Earlier this month, Brown was extradited from Dubai for his alleged involvement in a May shooting that occurred during a Miami boxing event hosted by Adin Ross. Multiple witnesses identified Brown as the shooter, and footage from the event shows him fighting a man identified as Zül-Qarnaįn Nantambu.
An arrest warrant from June states that Brown allegedly stole a security guard’s gun and opened fire on Nantambu.
"Cell phone video obtained from social media showed Mr. Brown with the firearm in his hand advancing towards Mr. Nantambu on the outside sidewalk," the warrant stated. "The video captures two shots which occur as Mr. Brown is within several feet of Mr. Nantambu. The video also captures Mr. Nantambu ducking after the first shot is heard."
Brown has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder. He has since posted the $25,000 bond.