Spotlight on… Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
When: Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts in a game with playoff seed implications.
What’s up: Brown boasts a strong argument as the NFL’s best receiver this season. Of course, Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins belong in the conversation. Neither can compare to Brown’s recent white-hot run. He earned AFC offensive player of the month honors for November. In his past three games, the former sixth-round pick and walk-on from Central Michigan has caught 33 passes for 474 yards and two touchdowns. No receiver has more receptions (324) and receiving yards (4,389) since 2013.
Background: When Brown arrived at the Steelers, he competed with Emmanuel Sanders for playing time and on punt returns. Coach Mike Tomlin motivated them by saying they were two dogs going for the same bone. Both excelled. Brown’s back story, however, makes his success even more eye-opening. Just 16, he began living on the streets in Liberty City section of northwest Miami after his mom remarried. He learned to survive, skills he’s translated to football.
Renck’s take: Brown is a self-made man. His athleticism is special. But he carved out stardom with calloused hands and bloodshot eyes, catching extra passes after practice, watching more film than his opponents. Brown’s same wavelength connection to QB Ben Roethlisberger makes Pittsburgh one of the NFL’s most dangerous teams.
Antonio Brown attempts to hurdle Spencer Lanning of the Cleveland Browns. (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images file)
