Former Steelers’ WR Antonio Brown Was Distraught To See Number 84 Given To Cordarrelle Patterson

Brown expressed disappointment via his social media account following the announcement. However, he made it clear that he still views himself as a Steeler for life. 

While his frustration is understandable given the decision to allow another player to wear his former number, it's important to note that the Steelers have only retired three jerseys and are not known for retiring many numbers. Despite the numerous Steelers legends who have graced the field, the tradition of retiring jerseys simply hasn't been a prevalent one in Pittsburgh.

Furthermore, Brown's departure from the Steelers virtually ensured that his number would not be retired by the franchise. Despite his undeniable prowess and the trajectory he seemed to be on towards becoming one of the greatest wide receivers of all time during his tenure in Pittsburgh, his narrative took a sharp turn upon leaving the team, precipitated by a series of behavioral issues.

During his remarkable nine seasons with the Steelers, Brown amassed an impressive stat line of 837 receptions for 11,207 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns. He earned the distinction of being selected to four consecutive First-Team AP All-Pro teams and was honored with seven Pro Bowl appearances. His performance during that period was nothing short of historic. However, the manner in which he departed from the Steelers, coupled with disparaging comments directed towards players, coaches, and the organization, tarnished his legacy.

This, alongside the Steelers' infrequent retirement of jerseys, elucidates why Patterson has been granted the opportunity to don the number 84 in Pittsburgh. On a positive note, the absence of the iconic number 84 has been palpable in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, Brown's prowess as a return specialist is echoed in Patterson, who now holds the number and brings with him a legacy of record-breaking returns. With recent changes to kickoff rules, Patterson's presence on the special teams unit has ignited anticipation, offering the Steelers a dynamic return specialist reminiscent of Brown's tenure.

Former Steelers' WR Antonio Brown Wants Three Other Jersey Numbers Retired

In the social media post, Brown made a compelling case for the retirement of several iconic numbers within the Steelers' history. Firstly, he advocated for the retirement of number 43, paying homage to the legendary career of Troy Polamalu. Additionally, Brown suggested the retirement of number 12 in honor of the four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Terry Bradshaw. 

However, perhaps the most surprising proposition was the retirement of number seven, which belonged to Ben Roethlisberger, Brown's former quarterback. Despite Brown's previous disparaging remarks about Roethlisberger upon leaving Pittsburgh, he has since exhibited significant support for Roethlisberger's Hall of Fame case and celebrated career as a quarterback.

Notably, Brown refrained from explicitly requesting the retirement of his own number, 84, instead expressing disappointment over its omission. The Steelers' approach to jersey retirements diverges from traditional norms, reflecting their unique ethos and storied history. While they opt not to retire a multitude of numbers, they maintain a discerning approach to the allocation of such honors, contributing to the mystique surrounding the franchise.