Brown offers apology to Pats
Antonio Brown has apologized to the Patriots and team owner Robert Kraft for any negative attention he brought to the team during his brief stint in New England.
The four-time All-Pro receiver posted his apology on Instagram Tuesday, writing: “All I wanted to be was an asset to the organization; sorry for the bad media and the drama!”
The apology comes on the heels of past posts in which he indicated he’d fight the Patriots’ decision to withhold a $9 million signing bonus. He also reportedly met with NFL officials last week to discuss various sexual assault allegations against him that could make him subject to a possible suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy if he’s signed by another team.
The Patriots cut ties with Brown in September following just one game after a second woman accused him of sexual misconduct. They were the third team in less than a year to tire of the off-field behavior that has overshadowed his on-field accomplishments.
On his first unemployed NFL Sunday, Brown took shots at Kraft and longtime Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Another Brown down: The Browns have placed starting safety Morgan Burnett on injured reserve with a torn Achilles tendon, another setback for the team’s defense.
Burnett got hurt during Thursday night’s 21-7 victory over the Steelers. He had five tackles and an interception before leaving in the second quarter.
The loss of Burnett complicates things for the Browns, who could be without star defensive end Myles Garrett for the remainder of the season following his indefinite suspension for hitting Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with a helmet.
The Browns may also be missing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who was suspended one game for shoving Rudolph.
Rookie safety Sheldrick Redwine could get more playing time now that Burnett’s season is over. The fourthround pick out of Miami was on the field for 33 plays against the Steelers.
Tight end David Njoku could fill the open roster spot. He’s eligible to play this week after being out since Week 2 with a broken wrist.
Headed to Miami: Rob Gronkowski will be in Miami for the Super Bowl. The former Patriots tight end won’t be preparing for kickoff with Tom Brady and the rest of his old New England teammates.
Instead, the man who retired from the Patriots and the NFL in March will be hosting his first Super Bowl party. And he’s doing it Gronk style. The three-time Super Bowl champ is hosting the “GRONK BEACH” festival on Saturday, Feb. 1, on Miami Beach in an event featuring Gronkowski’s favorites and combining a party with a music festival along with food and drinks. Gronkowski says it’s because nobody really knows Super Bowl weekend like he does.
“I may not be playing the game this year, but I will still be going to Miami and I’m going to be debuting my very own music festival and its Gronk Beach,” Gronkowski said. “I mean, you can’t ask for any other situation that better than that. Bring some wildness, some fun, to bring a music festival to Miami and not just on top of Miami, at the Super Bowl. It’s really never been done like that before.”
Gronkowski is teaming up with sponsor Monster Energy with performers including Rick Ross, Flo Rida, DJ Carnage, Kaskade, Diplo and 3LAU.
“Whoever is going to be playing that game, who isn’t going to want to be at the party?” Gronkowski said.