Antonio Brown is back in the NFL after a tumultuous 2019 season that left him unemployed following a short stint with the Patriots.
This time, Brown is with the Buccaneers after some pleading from quarterback Tom Brady. Even though coach Bruce Arians said Brady had nothing to do with Brown signing, the coach didn't shy away from the fact that the quarterback wanted Brown there.
"Tom Brady lobbied me back in, gosh, June, July, August," Arians told NBC Sports.
Arians said no at the time because he felt the team didn't need Brown. Fast-forward to Week 9, and Brown is now about to start his first game with the Bucs. So what changed? Arians says injuries played a big role. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller (the Bucs' top three receivers) have all been injured at some point this season. The team is also without tight end O.J. Howard for the rest of the season.
And while Arians may not want to admit it, there's no doubt Brady's presence played a role in Brown's arrival to Tampa Bay. We'll get into the reasons why below.
Antonio Brown is living with Tom Brady
Antonio Brown lived with Tom Brady during his short time on the Patriots, and the receiver is once again pairing up with the quarterback in Tampa Bay. In New England, Brady opened up his home to Brown for him to get settled in while he moved to a new city.
While the news got plenty of attention, Brady downplayed the significance when asked about it.
"Anyone is welcome to stay over my house. I’ve had a lot of people over during the season and offseason," Brady said. “Teammates are important to me. That’s part of what makes football so special, the relationships you build with the guys you play with. This year is no different."
Now that the two are teammates again, Brady once again welcomed Brown into his home. Once again, Brady offered up a similar explanation for doing so.
"He’s just getting settled and l know he's looking for places," Brady said. "It's nice to have him around. It's a big transition for him moving across the state not knowing anyone. I'm just trying to be a good teammate and help somebody out."
Antonio Brown's relationship with Tom Brady
Brady and Brown being roomates isn't the end of their relationship. Brown credits Brady with helping him "see the light," partially because Brady introduced the receiver to Tony Robbins. Robbins is a motivational speaker, and he has apparently helped Brown resolve some of the issues that have plagued him in the past.
"Tom hooked me up with him a couple of months ago [and] he’s been a great asset for me," Brown said of Robbins. "We’re working on myself within, unlocking some positive stuff in my spirit and just being a better person. [I’ve spent] a lot of time sitting with him, developing some positive things within, changing my outlook on a couple of things, battling and getting away from anger and just being able to stay positive and see the positive of things — not let my emotion or frustration ruin my outlook on what’s in front of me."
Brown added: “I really thank Tony Robbins and TB12 for hooking me up with great people that can align me with my purpose and help me see the light in regard to my future."
As for Brown's future on the Bucs, it's really up to him. Arians gave him a simple message, per Fox Sports, when the team signed him: "Be a team player, or be gone."
