Everyone sees history differently, and perhaps that sums up former Las Vegas Raiders wideout Antonio Brown. Meanwhile, Derek Carr is the story that keeps on giving, which shouldn’t shock anyone considering his connection to the organization.
Brown’s association as a former Raiders player is dubious at best. Let’s face it, he technically didn’t suit up for the Silver and Black. Instead, in of the most embarrassing occasions for the Raiders, the All-Pro receiver was jettisoned before his sting began. Now, without rehashing too many of the details, Brown essentially “talked” his way out of the team, calling then-general manager Mike Mayock by a certain racial slur.
The reason why such an old story is being retold this week can be attributed to some old-fashioned revisionist history.
“This Is Not A Championship Culture”
While airing his side of the story on Tyreek Hill’s podcast, Brown dropped an interesting tidbit that doesn’t exactly add up.
“If I get on the roster the first opening day of the game, he [Mark Davis] owes me $30 million. He made a deal to let me go, but no one ever knew that.” Brown then added more detail as to what went down with owner Mark Davis.
“So, I get to the Raiders, and I’m like, ‘Yo, Mark, I love everything about it here. I love money, but this is not [a] championship culture; it’s not the environment I want to be in. I love you, and I appreciate the $30 million, but I already [have] 30. Not to be arrogant, but I got it. I don’t need to hustle you.'”
Antonio Brown isn’t exactly being truthful…
When looking at the situation closely, Brown’s words don’t match what his actions were at that time.
As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pointed out, Brown’s guaranteed money was already voided by the time he spoke with the Raiders’ owner. In fact, Florio adds that Brown filed a grievance after the debacle ensued; obviously, Brown is being revisionist at best. Who would’ve thought this Antonio Brown-Raiders disaster would still be talked about for years?
Derek Carr wishes his old Raiders teammates much success…
While on the topic of former Raiders, Derek Carr was once in the headlines, though nothing he said could be misinterpreted as controversial. Rather, the former leader of the Silver and Black has nothing but good things to say about his former teammates. While speaking to The Fresno Bee (h/t Anthony Galaviz), Carr was rather supportive, displaying the same demeanor that became his hallmark while playing for the Raiders.
“I want them to succeed, I want Jimmy [Garoppolo] to be healthy. I want him to play great, because that helps Davante [Adams]. It helps Maxx [Crosby], Josh Jacobs. It helps all my friends, Kolton [Miller], Andre [James]. …I want that so bad for them. I want them to feel that love of the game again.”
Maybe we’re reading too much into Carr’s words, but he seems to have an emphasis on “rekindling” something. As if his former teammates back in Vegas “lost” something. Carr goes on…
“I want them to feel that excitement of the game again. I want to, even in the hard times, I want them to jell together, come together and say, it’s going to be all right and move on and keep pushing. And I wish that for them, and I hope the best for them, but I’m focused on our team.”
At the end of the day, Carr is a Saint now, no pun intended. You may take his words as you wish, either at face value or perhaps there’s a shot at a particular someone in there.
*Top Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
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