# Antonio Brown is a douchebag

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [August 9, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434 "2019-08-09T23:03:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 9

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**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/161 "2019-09-11T05:41:05Z")

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> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> I know it’s gauche to to say it, but the timing on this filing is a bit suspect.

Was she supposed to wait till the season was over? If she really wanted to screw him she would have filled at the beginning of training camp.

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**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/162 "2019-09-11T11:40:03Z")

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> [@2gigch1](#):
>
> BREAKING: Patriots WR Antonio Brown accused of three separate incidents of sexual assault and rape, according to federal lawsuit filed Tuesday: [https://nyti.ms/2lKSCx1](https://t.co/wFAijgADJK)  
> Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And yet he didn’t get along with Roethlisberger?!

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**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/163 "2019-09-11T12:17:37Z")

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> [@madsircool](#):
>
> Was she supposed to wait till the season was over?

At least until \*after \*notifying the police.

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**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/164 "2019-09-11T12:41:06Z")

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> [@kayaker](#):
>
> And yet he didn’t get along with Roethlisberger?!

Damn! You beat me to it.

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**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/165 "2019-09-11T13:04:29Z")

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> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> I know it’s gauche to to say it, but the timing on this filing is a bit suspect.

Not really. When would have been a time to file this that couldn’t be interpreted that way?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/166 "2019-09-11T13:50:55Z")

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> [@ElvisL1ves](#):
>
> At least until \*after \*notifying the police.

Its a civil action. What do the police have to do with it?

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**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/167 "2019-09-11T13:52:25Z")

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Rape is a crime, as you may have heard. Was it ever reported?

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/168 "2019-09-11T13:53:37Z")

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> [@drm](#):
>
> I read the article in The NY Times. It’s pretty convincing and I’m curious about what the Patriots knew when they signed him.

My favorite part of the story (as reported by ESPN):

> [@](#):
>
> Taylor (Brown’s accuser) was a gymnast at Central Michigan, where Brown attended college. According to the lawsuit, they met in a Bible study group at the school and became friends

Pray or prey? :dubious:

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**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/169 "2019-09-11T14:06:42Z")

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> [@Omniscient](#):
>
> I know it’s gauche to to say it, but the timing on this filing is a bit suspect.

Two things though… First, these aren’t old claims. The alleged incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018. It’s not like she is claiming this happened in college. And even if they were old, it’s not unusual for a sexual assault victim to be nervous about reporting a crime. There is still a stigma against victims (which is horrible) and there is shame involved. Plus if you accuse a rich and famous person, they can afford a strong defense and now all of his fans are your enemies.

As far as whether or not filing it now was strategic, I’m sure it was and that was smart. This was filed at a time when everyone has been hearing about how erratic he is. He is particularly vulnerable and you strike when the iron is hot. Also, if you think the timing was meant to hurt him (career-wise) and was vindictive, I’m sure it was. But if I was a sexual assault victim I’d probably be a teeny-tiny but vindictive myself, wouldn’t you?

I don’t think the timing in any way casts doubt on the allegations. The truth about them (whether they happened or not) should be borne out through testimony, evidence, and investigations.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/170 "2019-09-11T14:17:24Z")

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> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> And even if they were old, it’s not unusual for a sexual assault victim to be nervous about reporting a crime.

She can make herself file a lawsuit, with all the pending publicity, but is too nervous to tell the police? What’s the normal reaction by someone who’s been assaulted - to call 911 or to sue?

> [@](#):
>
> I don’t think the timing in any way casts doubt on the allegations. The truth about them (whether they happened or not) should be borne out through testimony, evidence, and investigations.

All of which would have been brought out by a police investigation. Without that, who’s gonna do it and what’s gonna be the admissible evidence?

So why wasn’t any of it reported? There’s a possible reason that doesn’t fit your views. This may be real, but there’s at least good reason to suspect otherwise.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/171 "2019-09-11T14:23:55Z")

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I don’t think it’s odd for her to wait, but I do think it’s odd for her to bring a lawsuit while not going to law enforcement. An interesting analysis of the case is here:  
[https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/11/patriots-antonio-brown-accused-sexual-assualt-former-trainer](https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/11/patriots-antonio-brown-accused-sexual-assualt-former-trainer)

The article is by SI’s legal analyst. He does point out that the fact that this is a lawsuit and not a criminal accusation means that to the NFL, it has a “lower burden of persuasion” and that “a civil lawsuit should not be regarded as the equivalent of a criminal charge”.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/172 "2019-09-11T15:06:46Z")

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> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> I don’t think it’s odd for her to wait, but I do think it’s odd for her to bring a lawsuit while not going to law enforcement. An interesting analysis of the case is here:  
> [https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/11/patriots-antonio-brown-accused-sexual-assualt-former-trainer](https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/09/11/patriots-antonio-brown-accused-sexual-assualt-former-trainer)
> 
> The article is by SI’s legal analyst. He does point out that the fact that this is a lawsuit and not a criminal accusation means that to the NFL, it has a “lower burden of persuasion” and that “a civil lawsuit should not be regarded as the equivalent of a criminal charge”.

Yeah, you might well go the civil route because sexual offences that occurred in private between people who knew each other are typically hard to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Just because it’s a crime and the statute of limitations hasn’t run out doesn’t obligate a victim to go solely the criminal route or that route first.

Also the civil court system exists on the idea that victims might be entitled to monetary compensation (and not only money directly taken from them), not just the knowledge that the wrongdoer has to go to jail.

So on both counts filing a civil suit before criminal charges doesn’t IMO by itself make the accusations suspect. And like the article says, the local authorities could then follow the civil case and pursue criminal charges if they think they can make them stick.

But the charges could be untrue or not wholly true. How would any of us know that? Just saying, the idea ‘the person wants money’ isn’t that relevant in itself. If the allegations are true and the person suffered, why shouldn’t they get money from a wealthy wrongdoer if the law allows it? The question is whether it’s (wholly) true.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/173 "2019-09-11T15:09:30Z")

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Regardless of whether these allegations are true, Brown is an ass and I wish he were not on my home team. If they do turn out to be true, he should be fired immediately, arrested, and never allowed to play football again. But without a real criminal investigation, I don’t know that we’ll ever know, so he’ll likely stay on, unfortunately. Blech.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/174 "2019-09-11T15:35:59Z")

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[Brown’s response, ftr:](https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2019/09/11/patriots-antonio-brown-rape-allegations-lawsuit)

> [@](#):
>
> Brown has vehemently denied the allegations in a statement released Tuesday evening via his lawyer Darren Heitner. According to the statement, Brown plans to “pursue all legal remedies” to clear his name. Heitner tweeted later Tuesday night that Brown will “leave no stone unturned and will aggressively defend himself, including exercising all of his rights in countersuits.” ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported Tuesday night that Brown intends to countersue Taylor for civil extortion.
> 
> According to the statement from Brown’s legal team, Taylor asked Brown in 2017 to invest $1.6 million dollars in her “business project.”
> 
> “Mr. Brown was not informed by his accuser that she had just been levied with a $30,000 IRS tax lien or that $300,000 of the $1.6 million so-called ‘investment’’ was to be used to purchase property already owned by the accuser and her mother,” read the statement.
> 
> When Brown refused to make the investment, the statement says, Taylor stopped contacting him until 2018, when she offered to help him train for the upcoming season.
> 
> “Thereafter, the accuser engaged Mr. Brown in a consensual personal relationship,” read the statement. “Any sexual interaction with Mr. Brown was entirely consensual.”
> 
> According to the statement, Taylor traveled to Brown’s residences on multiple occasions, maintained communication with Brown throughout 2018, and continually posted photos of Brown on her social media accounts.
> 
> In May 2018, the statement says, Taylor invited herself to party with Brown and friends at a Miami club. The pair then returned to Brown’s residence and engaged in consensual sex, according to the statement.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/175 "2019-09-11T17:04:55Z")

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I’ve been as harsh on AB as anyone else in this thread, but this lawsuit and the allegations don’t really pass the smell test for me. The timing of the lawsuit WRT the timing of when the incidences happened is just too much of a coincidence for me.

I’m not saying I believe either party…but I’m definitely :dubious:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/176 "2019-09-11T17:44:51Z")

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> [@madsircool](#):
>
> Was she supposed to wait till the season was over? If she really wanted to screw him she would have filled at the beginning of training camp.

> [@Telemark](#):
>
> Not really. When would have been a time to file this that couldn’t be interpreted that way?

> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> Two things though… First, these aren’t old claims. The alleged incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018. It’s not like she is claiming this happened in college. And even if they were old, it’s not unusual for a sexual assault victim to be nervous about reporting a crime. There is still a stigma against victims (which is horrible) and there is shame involved. Plus if you accuse a rich and famous person, they can afford a strong defense and now all of his fans are your enemies.
> 
> As far as whether or not filing it now was strategic, I’m sure it was and that was smart. This was filed at a time when everyone has been hearing about how erratic he is. He is particularly vulnerable and you strike when the iron is hot. Also, if you think the timing was meant to hurt him (career-wise) and was vindictive, I’m sure it was. But if I was a sexual assault victim I’d probably be a teeny-tiny but vindictive myself, wouldn’t you?
> 
> I don’t think the timing in any way casts doubt on the allegations. The truth about them (whether they happened or not) should be borne out through testimony, evidence, and investigations.

I’m not going to stand here and attack the accuser. This stuff happened a long time ago which doesn’t invalidate them of course. However, claims from 1-2 years ago ARE old. It’s is of course not uncommon for these things to not make it to the police or courts quickly.

BUT, announcing this right now, at this point in the middle of this giant professional shit-storm he created for himself is weird. Not in the offseason, not while he was on Hard Knocks, not after he “lost” $90M+ from the Raiders, but instead right after he gets bailed out by the Patriots financially with a $15M deal…that’s eyebrow raising.

The accuser wants financial compensation, evidenced by the civil court filing and not criminal, and they very publicly announce this suit right when he gets money but before he’s able to do something else horrible and lose it again. It’s at the very least tactical, which doesn’t make for a very sympathetic victim.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/177 "2019-09-11T18:40:20Z")

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Strategic timing, to me, doesn’t say anything about the merits of the lawsuit. Neither does not going to the police. I doubt they’ll win, though. There have been some texts from AB that don’t help his image or countersuit, but I think ultimately only the lawyers make money.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/178 "2019-09-11T18:56:18Z")

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> [@garygnu](#):
>
> There have been some texts from AB that don’t help his image or countersuit,

Reading those texts, I now know that I despise the reprehensible human being named Antonio Brown. He admits to jacking off on her back, he’s a complete mysognistic asshole, and I really look forward to him lying in a pool of his own drool with constant headaches at age 48.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/179 "2019-09-11T20:55:49Z")

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> [@Hamlet](#):
>
> Reading those texts, I now know that I despise the reprehensible human being named Antonio Brown. He admits to jacking off on her back, he’s a complete mysognistic asshole, and I really look forward to him lying in a pool of his own drool with constant headaches at age 48.

Also bordering on illiterate.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\
**Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antonio-brown-is-a-douchebag/838434/180 "2019-09-12T13:42:57Z")

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So it appears Belichick and Brady got their feelings hurt at their respective press conferences yesterday. When Bill tried his patented “I already answered that” response to a question, the CNN reporter shot back “No you didn’t” and repeated it. Bill, shocked that a reporter didn’t just back down immediately because he knows his job depends on access to the Patriots, ended the conference and walked off the stage.  
When Tom was asked about the accused rapist he had invited to stay with him, he just replied “Things that don’t involve me, don’t involve me.”

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