Earlier this offseason, the Buffalo Bills seemed to be closing in on a trade for then-Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown. The Steelers seemed ready to send Brown to the Bills, until Brown reportedly killed the deal because he had no desire to play in Buffalo.
Apparently, that wasn't the first time Brown shot down the Bills.
Back during the 2010 NFL Draft, Buffalo placed a call to Brown to let him know that it would be selecting him in the sixth round, but Brown ignored the call.
The reason? Because Pittsburgh had called him at the same time.
The Bills planned on using the 192nd pick on him, but the Steelers were selecting three picks later. Because Brown did not answer the Bills' phone call, Buffalo did not take him, and Pittsburgh scooped up a steal at No. 195, per NFL reporter Dov Kleiman.
The rest is history.
Brown went on to spend the first nine years of his NFL career with the Steelers, making seven Pro Bowl appearances and earning four First-Team All-Pro selections.
However, due to a disintegrating relationship between Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, not to mention tension between Brown and the Steelers organization in general, the 30-year-old asked for a trade at the end of this past season.
Pittsburgh ultimately met his request, sending him to the Oakland Raiders for a couple of draft picks.
Poor Buffalo. Twice, the Bills thought they had Brown within their grasp, and both times, Brown (and fate) had other plans.
Brown hauled in 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2018.
Follow Us
Subscribe