Getty Images Steelers receiver Antonio Brown has removed from his list of Twitter “likes” one of the two tweets referring to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s history of off-field issues. Brown has replaced that with a tweet that addresses the basis for the apparent hostility between the two men. “No conflict just a matter of respect!” Brown said in response to a fan who asked Brown to explain the basis for his conflict with the quarterback. “Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game.” The tweet from Brown starts off in a seemingly positive way, but it quickly turns. Brown perceives a lack of respect in Roethlisberger’s willingness to publicly call out teammates, given that they can’t do the same. And Brown clearly views that hypocrisy as “dirty.” This development underscores the folly of any football player seeing fit to talk openly about the actual or perceived shortcomings of a teammate. While much of what has transpired in Pittsburgh is the fault of Brown himself, Roethlisberger’s approach to coworkers has given Brown something that he views as a legitimate basis for wanting a new workplace. The tweet from Brown is the first of what apparently will be 10 answers from the player aimed at disseminating “real truth and real facts.” He’s answering them slowly for now, probably because it’s taking too long to sift through the many sarcastic and mean-spirited responses he surely has received.<doc-sep>PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during the NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 30, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Pittsburgh Steelers and Antonio Brown appear headed for an even messier split than expected, as Brown took shots at Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Over the past couple of months, Antonio Brown has made his intentions clear. The star wide receiver wants out of Pittsburgh, and while the Steelers organization has attempted to make peace with one of the most statistically dominant wide receivers in league history, Brown’s mind appears to be set. Yesterday, Brown liked a tweet from a Twitter user who noted the past rape allegations against Ben Roethlisberger, and he’s used social media to angle for trades to the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. But Brown made two more pointed statements at his head coach and quarterback in Pittsburgh. In tweets made on Saturday afternoon, Brown claimed that Tomlin benched him in Week 17 when he was injured, insinuating that the coach tried to give the impression that Brown had quit on the Steelers during a playoff race. After the coach tell the team I quit while nursing some bumps then invite me to watch the show with same guys thinking I quit i can not stand with that! I’m the bad guy doe we miss post season think about it https://t.co/imrJ8jnnBc — Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019 Brown’s benching came amidst reports that he had a dispute with Roethlisberger, throwing a football at the Steelers quarterback before refusing to practice. This report denied that Brown missed Week 17 due to a knee injury. No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truth https://t.co/MsSyBVd3Ny — Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 16, 2019 In the tweet above, Brown took aim at Roethlisberger, stating that while he has “mutual respect” for Roethlisberger, he dislikes the fact that Big Ben is allowed to call out those around him. He resents Roethlisberger’s “owner mentality”. Other tweets from Brown cement the idea that he is looking for an opportunity elsewhere, whether it’s with the Packers, 49ers or another team interested in acquiring a wide receiver who caught 104 passes and 15 touchdowns last season. The implication here is that Brown doesn’t see himself winning a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh anymore. Brown would have no shortage of suitors despite this blow-up with the Steelers organization, especially if a team decides he’s either worth the headache or sides with the Madden 19 cover star. It will be interesting to see how the Steelers respond to Brown’s tweets, given they’ve been trying to patch things up with their best player. Trading Brown would be an onerous task, as the Steelers would have to eat more than $20 million in dead cap and likely wouldn’t get fair value for a perennial 100-catch wide receiver. But for the Steelers, who usually do things their way and value stability, Brown’s latest actions may be deemed unforgivable, even if this may be a case of a player standing up for himself in a league that frowns upon any inkling of dissent.<doc-sep>Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown addressed some of the key differences he has with Ben Roethlisberger on Saturday. Asked by a Twitter user about his conflict with Roethlisberger leading up to Week 17, Brown responded there was a lack of "mutual respect" because the Steelers quarterback has an "owner mentality": Brown also tweeted his requested move isn't about money: The Steelers benched Brown for their regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Mike Tomlin originally announced his star wideout was absent from practice leading up to the game because of discomfort in his knee. Per Gerry Dulac and Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown "was disgusted and threw a football" at Roethlisberger following a disagreement during a walkthrough practice four days before the game. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported he was informed Brown was "totally in the wrong" for that situation and "went AWOL essentially for the 3rd time this season dating back to training camp." Bouchette reported Saturday that the Steelers were intending to explore trades involving Brown even before he reportedly asked for a trade on Tuesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Brown is a playmaker who can help a lot of teams on the field and led the NFL with 15 touchdown receptions last season. The 30-year-old will become very expensive in 2019 with a $22.165 million cap hit, per Spotrac. Video Play Button Videos you might like Teams interested in acquiring Brown will have to weigh the upside with the potential headaches he brings between games.<doc-sep>
Disgruntled Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown took a shot at quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Saturday during a question-and-answer session on social media. Brown was asked about the reason behind his rift with Roethlisberger. The 2018 league leader in touchdown catches insisted there was no conflict, just a “matter of respect.” STEELERS STAR ANTONIO BROWN BENCHED AFTER DISPUTE WITH BEN ROETHLISBERGER, REPORT SAYS “He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches,” he said. “Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game.” The declining relationship between Brown and Roethlisberger was revealed in the middle of the season. According to ESPN, Brown was upset Roethlisberger called him out on his route-running abilities in a Week 12 loss to the Denver Broncos. Regardless, Roethlisberger has reportedly expressed his interest in Brown returning to the team despite the reported discrepancies and rumors the wide receiver has asked for a trade. The four-time All-Pro also addressed his decision to sit out in Week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals. “After the coach tell the team I quit while nursing some bumps then invite me to watch the show with same guys thinking I quit I can not stand with that! I’m the bad guy doe (sic) we miss post season think about it,” he wrote in a tweet. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP It’s unclear whether the Steelers are going to trade Brown. The wide receiver thanked Steelers fans for their support in a cryptic tweet last week.