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There’s no doubting that former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antonio Brown is crazy. Whether it’s from multiple head shots, or from the fame and fortune, it doesn’t matter. He could’ve made a run at Jerry Rice’s records. He could’ve had statues built of him in Pittsburgh. Instead he chose a path that cost him millions, and and ultimately may have ended his career many years short.
Regardless of Brown’s troubles, it remains a fair question as to whether he’s the greatest receiver to ever lace them up for the Steelers. In 130 games as a Steeler, Brown amassed 837 receptions for 11,207 yards, 74 touchdowns while averaging 13.4 yards per reception. He finished his Steelers career averaging 86.2 yards per game, which ranks first in team history. He finished behind only Hines Ward in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, but would’ve passed him in all categories if he played at least two more seasons with the Steelers. Brown played in 87 less games than Ward.
Brown would’ve needed to continue to play for at least 8 more years to have a chance to catch Rice in the record books. This graphic was posted by CBS Sports prior to Browns last season with the team in 2018.
He probably wouldn’t of been able to catch him in touchdowns, but everything else seems very possible. Records that were once thought of as untouchable were in reach for Brown. The question wouldn’t of been is Brown the best Steelers receiver of all time, it would’ve been is he the best wide receiver of all time. And he may have been.
PRO FOOTBALL REFERENCE
Now Ward, and John Stallworth both have a case for greatest Steelers receiver of all time. Lynn Swann was amazing, but he wasn’t as good as Stallworth. He had the amazing plays in the Super Bowl, but he quit the game too early to pursue a career as a reporter.
Stallworth amassed 8723 yards on 523 receptions which held as Steelers records from 1987 until Ward broke all of them. But Stallworth played in a different era. The Steelers didn’t pass the ball a lot until 1978 when Terry Bradshaw came into his own and the league started shifting to more explosive offenses. Stallworth had his first 1000 yard season in 1979, but injuries would plague him three out of the next four seasons. By the time he was healthy in 1984 Bradshaw had retired. That didn’t stop Stallworth from putting up his best season in 1984 with 1395 yards receiving. He’d again dominate in 1985, but injuries would again slow down Stallworth who would only play in 20 games in his last two seasons in the NFL.
Ward is thought of as Brown’s main competition, and rightfully so. He is the greatest blocking wide receiver in league history, fierce competitor, and he has the stats to back it up. Not to mention he has two Super Bowl trophies, and a Super Bowl MVP. Brown has none of those with the Steelers. (Ring with Buccaneers) Ward compiled his stats over a long period of time, but in his early years he wasn’t on a very high powered offense. Everything ran through running back Jerome Bettis, and passing was something that complemented the run, unlike today’s NFL. Ward would eventually get Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback, but it was several years until Roethlisberger transitioned from a game managing quarterback to a gun slinger.
It’s a toss up for me personally. Brown would’ve easily been the greatest of all time had he not gone crazy. He’s without a doubt the hardest working, and most talented receiver to ever lace em up. But Ward was everything you wanted as a player.
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Regardless of Brown’s troubles, it remains a fair question as to whether he’s the greatest receiver to ever lace them up for the Steelers. In 130 games as a Steeler, Brown amassed 837 receptions for 11,207 yards, 74 touchdowns while averaging 13.4 yards per reception. He finished his Steelers career averaging 86.2 yards per game, which ranks first in team history. He finished behind only Hines Ward in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, but would’ve passed him in all categories if he played at least two more seasons with the Steelers. Brown played in 87 less games than Ward.
Brown would’ve needed to continue to play for at least 8 more years to have a chance to catch Rice in the record books. This graphic was posted by CBS Sports prior to Browns last season with the team in 2018.
He probably wouldn’t of been able to catch him in touchdowns, but everything else seems very possible. Records that were once thought of as untouchable were in reach for Brown. The question wouldn’t of been is Brown the best Steelers receiver of all time, it would’ve been is he the best wide receiver of all time. And he may have been.
PRO FOOTBALL REFERENCE
Now Ward, and John Stallworth both have a case for greatest Steelers receiver of all time. Lynn Swann was amazing, but he wasn’t as good as Stallworth. He had the amazing plays in the Super Bowl, but he quit the game too early to pursue a career as a reporter.
Stallworth amassed 8723 yards on 523 receptions which held as Steelers records from 1987 until Ward broke all of them. But Stallworth played in a different era. The Steelers didn’t pass the ball a lot until 1978 when Terry Bradshaw came into his own and the league started shifting to more explosive offenses. Stallworth had his first 1000 yard season in 1979, but injuries would plague him three out of the next four seasons. By the time he was healthy in 1984 Bradshaw had retired. That didn’t stop Stallworth from putting up his best season in 1984 with 1395 yards receiving. He’d again dominate in 1985, but injuries would again slow down Stallworth who would only play in 20 games in his last two seasons in the NFL.
Ward is thought of as Brown’s main competition, and rightfully so. He is the greatest blocking wide receiver in league history, fierce competitor, and he has the stats to back it up. Not to mention he has two Super Bowl trophies, and a Super Bowl MVP. Brown has none of those with the Steelers. (Ring with Buccaneers) Ward compiled his stats over a long period of time, but in his early years he wasn’t on a very high powered offense. Everything ran through running back Jerome Bettis, and passing was something that complemented the run, unlike today’s NFL. Ward would eventually get Ben Roethlisberger as his quarterback, but it was several years until Roethlisberger transitioned from a game managing quarterback to a gun slinger.
It’s a toss up for me personally. Brown would’ve easily been the greatest of all time had he not gone crazy. He’s without a doubt the hardest working, and most talented receiver to ever lace em up. But Ward was everything you wanted as a player.
Tell us what you think SteelerNation!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
