Antonio Brown’s professional playing career is back in a historically weird way

Antonio Brown (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Antonio Brown (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) /
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Antonio Brown is ready to suit back up and play professional football, just not in the NFL.

Antonio Brown’s NFL playing career, at this point, seems like it’s over. While the estranged star hinted that he was going to make a comeback with the Ravens, that seems more like fake news than anything else.

Brown does seem committed to making some sort of professional comeback, but it’s not going to be in the NFL, at least not yet. Brown is going to make his debut in the National Arena League for the Albany Empire, a team that he owns 95 percent of.

Brown’s tenure with the team thus far has been controversial, and that may be putting it lightly. He was kicked off the field by security despite being the owner of the team in one of his first appearances.

The team has virtually combusted since his arrival, with the head coach quitting and players alleging that they haven’t been paid. Meanwhile, Brown reportedly bought the $12 million Palazzo Riggi in the swanky Saratoga Springs area.

Antonio Brown is going to be an owner-player

Antonio Brown told a local reporter that he will suit up for the Empire on May 27th, the next home game that the team has.

The Empire are 1-3, in fifth place among the seven-team league. One would think that adding a talent like Brown certainly can’t hurt a team like this, but then again, this is Antonio Brown we’re talking about. His persona has far surpassed his skillset over the last several years.

As far as his role on the team… Who knows? Brown was a receiver in the NFL but indoor football is a vastly different game, and who knows if Brown is taking this seriously or using his appeal as a means to drive some ticket sales. Maybe we’ll see him sling a few passes, even.

Something tells me this won’t be the last of the Antonio Brown saga in the Capital Region.

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