Steelers Now
Former Indianapolis Colts punter and media personality Pat McAfee gave former Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown a major endorsement, ranking him as the second-best punt returner of all time behind only Tyreek Hill.
“Antonio Brown had no fear. He was explosive, he was fast, he had great vision,” McAfee said while explaining his ranking.
Comments like these are refreshing because they serve as a reminder of just how special Brown was before his career became overshadowed by everything that happened off the field. While many fans today immediately associate Brown with the controversies that unfolded late in his career and after his retirement, those who watched him during his prime remember a player who was one of the most electric and dynamic playmakers the NFL has ever seen. Every time he fielded a punt, there was a genuine feeling he could score.
McAfee’s opinion is far from an outlier. Former coaches, teammates, opponents and even special teams players who had to punt to Brown have consistently praised his competitiveness, preparation and work ethic. It’s one thing for fans to remember the spectacular catches and highlight-reel returns, but it’s another when the people who shared the field with him continue to speak so highly of the impact he had. Time and time again, they recall not only his talent but the way he approached practice and the relentless effort that helped turn a sixth-round pick into one of the greatest receivers of his generation.
For many fans outside those circles, though, Brown’s legacy has become defined more by his off-field controversies than his accomplishments on the field. That’s understandable considering the amount of attention those incidents received, but they have also overshadowed just how remarkable his on-field résumé truly was.
What makes McAfee’s praise even more impressive is that Brown’s résumé as a punt returner came from a relatively limited sample size. As he developed into arguably the best wide receiver in football, the Steelers gradually took him off punt return duties to avoid exposing one of their most valuable offensive weapons to unnecessary hits. Even with significantly fewer return opportunities than many of the names he’s compared against, Brown left such a lasting impression that McAfee still considers him the second-greatest punt returner in NFL history.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Pat McAfee Gives Antonio Brown Massive All-Time Endorsement
