Antonio Brown Endorses Donald Trump, Shares Controversial Views on CTE

Former NFL player Antonio Brown sat down for an interview with Nick Adams of OutKick to discuss his support for former President Donald Trump and his thoughts on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has declared his support for Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election. In an interview with OutKick's Nick Adams, Brown elaborated on his reasons for backing the former president.

Brown praised Trump's policies and his commitment to "making America great again." He also expressed admiration for Trump's business acumen and his ability to connect with voters. "Trump is a winner," Brown said. "He's a guy who knows how to get things done."

Antonio Brown Endorses Donald Trump, Shares Controversial Views on CTE

During the same interview, Brown sparked controversy by sharing his views on CTE, a degenerative brain disease commonly associated with repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Brown claimed that CTE is not necessarily caused by brain damage but rather a collection of traumatic incidents experienced throughout life.

"I don't want to say it's brain damage because you can't live if it's brain damage," Brown explained. "I feel like people try to frame CTE as a concussion you may have, but yo, we had a bunch of concussions."

Antonio Brown Endorses Donald Trump, Shares Controversial Views on CTE

Brown's former teammate Le'Veon Bell, who was also present during the interview, initially agreed with Brown's assessment of CTE as brain damage. However, he later backtracked on this stance.

Brown's comments on CTE have drawn criticism from medical experts. Dr. Bennet Omalu, a renowned neuropathologist credited with discovering CTE, stated that Brown's views are "misinformed and dangerous."

Antonio Brown Endorses Donald Trump, Shares Controversial Views on CTE

Omalu explained that CTE is a progressive disease that causes brain damage and can lead to a variety of symptoms, including memory loss, dementia, and personality changes. He stressed that concussions are a primary risk factor for developing CTE.

Brown's claims have also been met with skepticism from his former teammates. James Harrison, whom Brown accused of causing his CTE, has denied the allegations, stating that he "never hit [Brown] with an illegal helmet."

Brown's controversial remarks have cast doubt on the accuracy of his self-diagnosis of CTE. In 2023, Brown claimed to have the disease in several social media posts. However, he has not provided any medical documentation to support his claims.

Brown's legal troubles have also come to light in recent months. In December, he faced domestic violence charges stemming from an incident at his Florida home. The charges were ultimately dismissed. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a moving truck driver $1.2 million after an alleged assault in 2020.

Despite the controversies surrounding him, Brown remains a polarizing figure in the NFL. His outspoken nature and controversial views have made him a target of both admiration and criticism. However, his impact on the game cannot be denied. Brown is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a one-time All-Pro selection. He has also been named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team.