‘CTESPN’: Ex-Buccaneer Antonio Brown selling ‘CTE’ T-shirts

Video above: Antonio Brown arrested at South Tampa house in 2022

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown announced he’s released a new merchandise line, “CTESPN.”

The new clothing line, which pokes fun at the medical term chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), is something Brown said he has been accustomed to.

Over the years, NFL fans have weaponized the term against Brown, accusing the receiver of having a trauma-induced brain disorder anytime he makes headlines or his behavior produces hot takes.

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Recently, Brown has taken the CTE jokes to the next level, using the acronym in hashtags on his social media posts and creating “CTESPN,” which is supposed to be the equivalent of him breaking sports news on ESPN.

On Monday, Brown shared what he claims was a text exchange between him and ESPN’s Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, in which Brown asked for credit regarding news he claims he broke about quarterback Russell Wilson signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Hope all is well, AB. Good work. Russ didn’t agree to the deal until tonight but I will keep looking out for you. Keep up the good work and hope all well,” Schefter’s text allegedly said, according to the screengrab shared by Brown. WFLA reached out to Schefter to clarify if the messages are legitimate.

Now, it appears Brown is hoping to make some money off of the term.

Brown revealed on his X account that he’s selling the CTESPN shirts for $40 apiece.

The black shirts feature the image of Brown shirtless from when he quit on the Buccaneers mid-game during the matchup between the New York Jets in 2022.

A picture of the 35-year-old from his Steelers days is also featured on the shirt, along with a screenshot of his tweet from 2023, referencing his version of “CTE” —”Catch The Energy.”

“Pre order now 😈 #CTESPN,” Brown wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Brown joined the Buccaneers midway through the 2020 season after finishing an eight-game suspension for “multiple violations of the league’s personal-conduct policy, the result of a no contest plea to burglary and battery charges from a Jan. 2020 incident in Florida, as well as accusations that he sent intimidating texts to a woman who accused Brown of making past unwanted advances toward her,” the NFL said.

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During his time with Tampa Bay, he recorded 87 catches for 1,082 yards with eight touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. He also scored during the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV win.

Brown had short stints with the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas before signing with the Bucs. He entered the NFL after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. He spent nine years in the Steel City.

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