Stephen A. Smith believes Antonio Brown might have CTE

Stephen A. Smith believes Antonio Brown’s behavior may be a symptom of CTE.

CTE is short for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, which can only be tested for after someone is dead. Late NFL stars such as Junior Seau, Frank Gifford and Aaron Hernandez were diagnosed with CTE after their deaths. In 2016, the NFL acknowledged CTE for the first time with football head-related trauma.

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On the November 25 episode of the Joe and Jada podcast, Smith theorized that Brown’s recent legal troubles may be linked to CTE.

“Personally, I think this is what Antonio Brown is going through,” Smith said before referencing his latest arrest. “That’s why he was arrested in Dubai.

Smith then shared a specific incident from 2016 that he believes caused Brown suffering that may have led to a possible CTE diagnosis in the future.

Smith added, “He hasn’t been the same since Vontaze Burfict hit when he was a Pittsburgh Steeler.” “His whole body seized up like rigamortis.”

When Brown signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016, he suffered a head injury when he was hit by Cincinnati Bengals player Vontaze Burfict during a game.

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In addition to Brown’s recent legal troubles, in which he has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder after a boxing event in May, Smith believes he has also displayed other behaviors over the past few years that could be signs of CTE.

“Remember when he was on the Raiders? I said, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Thursday. They got a Monday Night Football game. He just has to play and shut the fuck up, and by Tuesday afternoon, he’s guaranteed 29 million,” Smith said.

“He opened his mouth anyway and before Tuesday they cut him off,” Smith said.

If Brown is found guilty of attempted murder, he could face up to 30 years in prison. The former NFL star, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his 12-year NFL career, is accused of allegedly firing shots into the air to reduce noise. After this incident he went to his ex which went viral online.

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“Multiple individuals attempted to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me,” Brown wrote on X at the time. “Contrary to some of the videos that circulated, the police detained me temporarily until they got my side of the story and then released me. I went home that night and was not arrested.”

He was later arrested earlier this month but released on $25,000 bail. His attorney, Mark Eiglersh, spoke to NBC and defended his client’s innocence.

“I took this case because I believe passionately in the defense of Brown,” Eglersh told the outlet in a press release. “The actions she was forced to take were solely in self-defense against the violent behavior of the alleged victim. Brown was attacked that night and acted within her legal authority to defend herself from a man who had previously committed criminal acts against her. It is a privilege to represent her, and I am committed to ensuring that justice is served.”

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