As we all know, the 2018 season was Antonio Brown’s last as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, the Pro Bowl receiver is a member of the Oakland Raiders, becoming the first of many of the team’s offseason acquisitions, leaving JuJu Smith-Schuster in a starting role with the Steelers.
When a Steelers fan replied to a previous tweet from Brown with a graphic claiming Smith-Schuster was the Steelers’ 2018 MVP, the 30-year old Brown was quick to retweet the post and add some thoughts of his own, saying the “boy fumbled the whole post season in the biggest game of the year. … By the way, check the [record] list.”
Emotion: boy fumbled the whole post season in the biggest game of year ! Everyone went blind to busy making guys famous not enough reality these days ! 🤙🏾 by the way check the list https://t.co/2SWWT8k0jx
— AB (@AB84) April 7, 2019
Antonio Brown is known for having a big ego and is not afraid to spur controversy on social media. After all, he live-streamed himself training in gray and black clothes while hinting at a trade to the Raiders.
Meanwhile, Smith-Schuster is a bit more down to earth. Although not afraid to stand up for himself or his teammates, he rarely ever insults or challenges others on social media.
Which is why it was surprising to see JuJu follow up with a series of four posts in response to Brown.
The first shared six simple words. “Keep your emotions off the internet.”
Keep your emotions off the internet
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) April 7, 2019
And it is obviously worth noting that this is exactly what Brown himself had tweeted hours before his rant against his former teammate.
Keep your emotions off the internet
— AB (@AB84) April 7, 2019
The next post from Smith-Schuster defended himself more than the previous one, talking about “all I ever did was that man love and respect,” and how he was “genuinely happy for him when he got traded to Oakland with a big contract. And now he takes shots at me on social media?”
Smith-Schuster, who has also appeared in a Pro Bowl, added on how “crazy” it is that an ego has to be that big “to take shots at people who you love. SMH [shaking my head].”
All I ever did was show that man love and respect from the moment I got to the league. I was genuinely happy for him too when he got traded to Oakland w/ a big contract, and now he takes shots at me on social media?
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) April 7, 2019
Crazy how big that ego got to be to take shots at people who show you love! Smh
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) April 7, 2019
JuJu added one more “SMH” attached to an image of a quote that reads, “Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”
Smh pic.twitter.com/jkmA3oWWRS
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) April 7, 2019
This isn’t the first time there has been a so-called beef between the two receivers. Last week, Smith-Schuster tweeted an image of him and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in an embrace, saying he was blessed to enter the league with Roethlisberger as his quarterback.
I was so blessed to enter the league and play with a Hall of Fame QB as a 20-year old. Ben has taught me so much, he’s a true Leader and I can’t wait to rock with my guy this season. pic.twitter.com/Atei8eDiZC
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 26, 2019
Antonio Brown seemed to respond to that tweet (although not mentioning Smith-Schuster by name), saying people should not listen to anyone who hasn’t gotten paid yet. He hinted that Smith-Schuster was just saying nice things about his quarterback to please the organization and get a big payday.
Do not listen to any NFL player who haven’t got paid yet! They will do and say anything to make sure they going to get paid even if it’s compromising integrity or anything ! sad but true
— AB (@AB84) March 26, 2019
Then, JuJu Smith-Schuster told TMZ Sports that there’s no bad blood between the two.
“That’s my guy. There’s no bad blood.”
That was nearly two weeks ago. Smith-Schuster seemed to convince fans there was nothing to worry about by silencing the crowd and saying there was nothing wrong.
However, the latest beef triggered a response from Smith-Schuster, and it seems like there might finally be some bad blood.
We will monitor this situation and update the story if either athlete comments further on the situation.Â
