Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham and NFL double standards

Why aren’t critics all over wide receiver Antonio Brown for an outburst that would make Odell Beckham Jr. a pariah in the eyes of some?

Imagine if New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., often a media target because of his supposed immaturity and his antics on and off the football field, did what Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown did during this past Sunday’s game versus the Baltimore Ravens.

Brown, a game-changing talent like Beckham, threw a legitimate temper tantrum on the sideline after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger failed to see he was open on a play, and Brown let the world know about his unhappiness during a bizarre sequence.

The 29-year old acted like a petulant child who didn’t receive a desired Christmas gift. Brown tossed a Gatorade cooler toward the field of play, he argued with offensive coordinator Todd Haley, and he even slapped Haley’s hand away when the coach attempted to calm the enraged talent. The Steelers defeated the Ravens, 26-9, making Brown’s histrionics more forgivable than if Pittsburgh had suffered a loss to the division rival.

Brown’s actions have been covered by local and national media outlets. Per Des Bieler of the Washington Post, Roethlisberger told reporters on Tuesday Brown is “causing a distraction that none of us really needs.” That distraction has made headlines, but the story is already overshadowed by the MLB Playoffs, changes made to the NBA All-Star Game format, the NBA Preseason and the upcoming start of the NHL regular season.

Where are the people demanding the Steelers bench or even suspend Brown, as is the case whenever Beckham does anything that bothers observers, analysts and pockets of fans? Who, among respected journalists and television hosts looking to generate ratings, would dare suggest the Steelers need to trade Brown as soon as possible to avoid the “diva” receiver sinking the ship during the twilight of Roethlisberger’s career? Where’s the outrage?

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After Beckham mimicked a dog relieving itself in the end zone during New York’s recent loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in an apparent response to President Donald Trump referring to NFL players who peacefully protest racial injustice and police brutality during renditions of the national anthem as “sons of b——,” individuals throughout the football world were infuriated. Former coach Dick Vermeil called the dynamic 24-year old playmaker an “immature clown” and “embarrassing” during an appearance on the 94WIP Morning Show out of Philadelphia.

Sports talk radio hosts and fans often attempt to justify their Beckham hot takes by pointing out the Giants haven’t won much of anything since drafting him in 2014. That’s fair. Don’t look now, but the Steelers haven’t hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy with Brown on the roster. Pittsburgh reached the title game in Brown’s rookie campaign, during which he appeared in nine contests and finished the season with a total of 16 receptions. He had five catches during those playoffs.

Brown and Beckham are alike in many ways. They’re two of the best receivers to play in the NFL this decade. Both are emotional and eccentric, and both have a history of acting out during contests. Both clearly believe, understandably so, they’re the best players featuring for their offenses. Both yearn to win, so much so that they’re sometimes overcome by this desire on the field of battle.

Earlier this week, former tight end Tony Gonzalez appeared on the FOX Sports program Speak For Yourself, and the future Hall-of-Famer came to Brown’s defense:

"“So when you get to the game and it works exactly how you thought it was going to work, and you don’t get it thrown you, that’s why he was so excited about it. He’s thinking what are you doing? We worked on this all week. And it worked. Why wouldn’t he throw it to me. That’s an easy touchdown for him right there. So you get a little frustrated.“Should he be throwing the ice? No. I don’t agree with that. But sometimes, you get so emotional, you get so passionate, and you want to put up big numbers. And I know they won the game. And I’ve had games like that too, where we won the game, and I had two catches for 20 yards. I’m a little upset. I’m not going to lie.”"

Would Gonzalez and others like him make similar comments if Beckham lashed out at two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning during the game? We can’t say, for sure, but it’s a safe bet Beckham slapping away the hand of any coach would be the biggest story in all of North American sports this midweek even with the New York Yankees advancing to the ALDS, rather than a secondary topic discussed on programs such as SportsCenter and First Take following commercial breaks.

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The biggest difference between Brown and Beckham is age. Beckham is still on his rookie contract, he’s entering his physical prime, he’s evolving as a player and a person, and he’s far from a finished product. Remember that, Giants fans, and also consider Brown’s overall career path before you entertain the idea that New York jettisoning Beckham at any point in the foreseeable future is a good idea.

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