NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown was once considered the league's best pass-catcher when he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers and before his career took a dramatic turn.
Much of AB's talent should be credited to his father, who was an Arena Football League superstar.
While Eddie Brown never got a shot in the NFL, he made up for it with one of the most outstanding AFL careers of all time.
Eddie Brown's AFL Career
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Eddie Brown played college football at Louisiana Tech and attempted to launch an NFL career with the Phoenix Cardinals. However, he failed to survive past training camp before getting cut.
The Miami native returned to school and earned a degree before getting a call from the AFL's Albany Firebirds, who were interested in bringing him to Upstate New York.
Brown immediately rose to stardom in the AFL, earning the moniker "Touchdown Eddie Brown" and would enjoy a career that resulted in some labeling him as the greatest player in league history.
In fact, Brown was voted as the best player in AFL history by ESPN in 2006.
He's perhaps best known for the fact that he scored nine touchdowns in a single game, a feat which almost defies logic. Brown even drew comparisons as the AFL version of NFL Hall of Fame wideout Jerry Rice due to his unmatched route-running and work ethic.
Brown led the AFL in scoring in five seasons and was named MVP of the Arena Bowl.
Eddie Brown was largely absent from Antonio Brown's life. Brown's mother, Adrianne Moss, raised him in Florida until he was in high school.
Eddie and Antonio have since developed a close relationship.
Antonio Brown's NFL Career
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While Eddie Brown never got a real shot in the NFL, Antonio Brown has had several chances, despite his off-field antics.
The Central Michigan product was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Oakland Raiders after nine seasons and six Pro Bowls with the storied franchise.
Brown's antics drove him out of Oakland before playing in a single game. AB latched on with the New England Patriots, playing alongside legendary quarterback Tom Brady. His stint with the Patriots didn't last long, and he was cut after just a few weeks.
The NFL star then joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency on a one-year deal, winning a Super Bowl in is first year in town.
While Eddie and Antonio didn't always have a close relationship, the football players clearly have a lot in common: both are masters of their craft.
