The Tennessee Titans traded star wide receiver AJ Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles on NFL draft night. The move followed a recent trend of top wide receivers either getting lucrative extensions with their current teams or being moved.
In Brown’s case, he was moved and immediately signed the big-money extension he craved. The trade didn’t sit well with Titans fans, who felt Brown forced the trade. Maybe he did to an extent, but the team wasn’t willing to pay him his worth, so the sides parted ways. It’s common business.
Everybody’s A Thug On Social Media
In this era of sports, fans have shown a propensity to be out of control on social media, and Titans fans are no different. The barrage of negative fan response he’s received on social media lately caused Brown to cancel a youth football camp he hosts yearly in Nashville.
“I’m so sorry I let down your kids and many others but I will not put myself in a place where my peace is going to be threatened by adults who feel a way because I was traded. I’m every bad word it is for taking care of MY FAMILY! If you’re not aware just look in social media. I’m a man first and I will always do what I feel is right for me and my family. People are upset and that’s fine but it’s not that serious when it comes to me.
People can disrespect me on social media and that’s fine but being disrespectful to my face is a whole nother thing and I’m not tolerating it on any level. So forgive me for not putting myself in a place where my peace could be threatened because if something happens and I react, I’m the one who has everything to lose and not willing to risk my peace, my family or my job.”
Ironically, Brown isn’t the only elite pass catcher to feel the wrath of social media threats from fans while in a contract dispute.
Brown Joins Deebo Samuel In The Fan Twitter Finger Wars
Many fans wear their emotions on their sleeves, and that’s understandable. But to threaten players and make racist remarks via social media is pathetic. While Brown said he just received disrespect, Niners receiver Deebo Samuel says he received racist threats when he unfollowed the team and originally asked to be traded.
#49ers Deebo Samuel says fans are sending him death threats and racist comments over contract negotiations pic.twitter.com/P1XnC9uYKU
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) April 15, 2022
The Niners never granted his request and are slated to begin extension talks with the talented dual threat in the coming weeks.
Brown and Samuel, were both part of the 2019 draft class that also featured Washington Commanders star wideout Terry McLaurin. All were due big-money extensions and Brown got his four-year, $100 million deal with $57 million upon the trade to the Eagles.
Titans GM Made It Seem Like Brown Was Staying
Titans GM Jon Robinson talked about how much Brown meant to the future of the franchise as the draft approached. But never really got into specifics.
“Yeah, we’ve had some discussions with his reps. When he was here a couple weeks ago, I talked to him, and we’re still working through that. Not gonna get into any details with contract negotiations. Never have really done that. We’ve made it public about how we feel about AJ and how we want him to be a part of this football team.”
With the 2022 draft market for wide receivers bursting with talent, Robinson decided to trade Brown, much to the chagrin of head coach Mike Vrabel.
The third-year receiver totaled 185 receptions for 2,992 yards and 24 touchdowns. He joins an Eagles offense that also features the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, giving second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts two No.1 targets.
Thanks to some knucklehead adult fans, the youth of Tennessee were deprived of what would have been a memorable experience with an NFL hero.
