The 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame class is already becoming a talking point, and one name has created more debate than most: Antonio Brown.
Names like Rob Gronkowski, Ben Roethlisberger, Adrian Peterson, Cam Newton, Antonio Brown and Eric Weddle are reportedly being considered for enshrinement next year. Of the names mentioned, much debate has circled around Brown on whether he deserves a place in the Hall in his first year of eligibility.
AB played 12 seasons in the National Football League from 2010 to 2021 and posted solid numbers, which he capped by winning a Super Bowl in 2021 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But his NFL tenure was also marked by numerous off-field issues, especially late in his career, straining his relationships with the teams he played for and undermining his standing as one of the best the game has seen. It is the same reasoning that those opposed to his inclusion in the Hall of Fame are using to make their case.
The circumstances surrounding the possible inclusion of Brown in the Hall of Fame have been a hot topic in recent weeks, following the successful induction of the 2026 class earlier this month. Among the latest to share his thoughts on the matter is former NBA player PJ Tucker .
The one-time NBA champion argued on the "Uninterrupted" podcast that Brown's body of work spells "Hall of Fame," and while he had his share of off-field controversies, Tucker believes they should not overshadow the great things he accomplished in his career.
"I don't get it. Bro, whatever you did on the field is what you did on the field. Them games are there. The impact [he] had on them Steeler fans is there. There's no way AB is not first ballot, bro," Tucker, who won his NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, said .
"On that field, AB was considered the best receiver for how many years in a row? He was the mud, bro. He was the best wide receiver in the league. Listen, bro. AB was him," he added.
Wide receiver Brown played his first nine seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then had stops with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay. He was a four-time First-Team All-Pro, seven-time NFL Pro Bowler, and led the league in receptions and receiving yards twice. AB finished his career with 928 receptions and 12,291 yards.
But in each of his stops, he found himself in conflict with management and/or his teammates, which led to his eventual release. It included the one in Tampa Bay during the 2021-22 season, when he left the field during a game following a sideline dispute with his coach, which effectively ended his NFL career.
Brown was also involved in legal and criminal troubles during and after his career, including sexual assault allegations in 2019 with the Patriots.
Related: Jason Whitlock claims sex toy-throwing protests will spread to NFL
Brown, 38, who has an online presence through various podcasts, also has the backing of NFL legend LeSean McCoy, who believes AB deserves to be a Hall of Famer in Year 1.
McCoy shared on the Speakeasy podcast that Brown's NFL CV can hold its own against the legends of the game, including the great Jerry Rice.
"AB should be on there, though," McCoy said about the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "This might sound crazy, but Jerry Rice or AB, I'm taking AB. … Jerry Rice or Antonio Brown, I'm taking Antonio Brown. What am I saying wrong? What can Jerry Rice do that AB can't do?" McCoy, a two-time Super Bowl winner, asserted .
Rice is widely considered the greatest wide receiver of all time, holding career records in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,825) and receiving touchdowns (197) while winning three Super Bowls.
It will be interesting to see how Brown's Hall of Fame bid ultimately pans out. Until then, he can take solace in the support he has received despite the opposition.
Related: PJ Tucker says LeBron James is about to make the same sacrifice Chris Paul made in Houston
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Aug 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
