Steelers' Mike Tomlin Called Out In Heated Fight Between Antonio Brown And Asante Samuel

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always had very polarizing, but uber-talented wide receivers in the 18 seasons with Mike Tomlin as their head coach. One of the most polarizing is undoubtedly star wide receiver Antonio Brown. Arguably the most talented Steelers wide receiver of all time, Brown’s attitude became a major story after he left Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers—specifically Tomlin—seemed to do a great job keeping Brown’s antics under wraps for most of his Steelers career. While the ending certainly soured the relationship between Brown and the organization, his on-field dominance remains undeniable.

On Friday, former NFL defensive back Asante Samuel took to social media and called out not just Brown, but Tomlin and the entire Steelers organization. Samuel claimed that the only reason Brown lasted as long as he did in Pittsburgh was because Tomlin allowed him to get away with behavior that would never have been tolerated elsewhere. He suggested that Tomlin’s leadership wasn’t as strong as some believe, implying the Steelers turned a blind eye to Brown’s behavior in the name of winning.

"If Mike Tomlin never babied you @AB84 [Antonio Brown] NFL would’ve been an after thought," Samuel said. "You couldn’t survive anywhere else. The Steelers organization and players allowed you to act crazy. Lucky you never played on my team. You would’ve been dealt with immediately and not by the coach. Facts!"

Brown hasn't respond to the criticism, but that didn’t stop fans and analysts from weighing in. Some defended Tomlin, praising his ability to manage a complex personality while still fielding a competitive team. Others agreed with Samuel, suggesting that enabling star players can create long-term issues. Whether fans agree or not, the exchange once again highlights the complicated legacy of Brown’s time in Pittsburgh—and the delicate balance Tomlin had to strike during those years.

On one side of the debate, Steelers fans can make a strong case that it was nothing short of remarkable how Tomlin managed to keep Brown’s off-field antics largely under control during his time in Pittsburgh. There were early warning signs—like the infamous Facebook Live stream from the locker room after a playoff win—that hinted at Brown’s growing disregard for team rules. That incident marked a turning point, as more fans began to take notice of his behavior.

The counterargument is that the Steelers, and Tomlin specifically, enabled a culture where star wide receivers were allowed to push boundaries without consequences—behavior that, over time, became detrimental to the team. Still, Samuel’s criticism falls flat for many. The Steelers shouldn’t shoulder the blame for Brown’s post-Pittsburgh downfall. In fact, his story remains one of the greatest draft steals in NFL history—a sixth-round pick who rose to become one of the most dominant receivers the game has ever seen.

Steelers' Antonio Brown Has A Very Complex Legacy In Pittsburgh And The NFL

Unfortunately, Brown’s post-Steelers career has been defined more by controversy than success. Despite winning a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, his legacy is marred by bizarre incidents—none more infamous than walking off the field mid-game without his uniform. His story remains one of the most polarizing in NFL history. 

Brown was on track to be one of the greatest ever, especially considering his humble draft origins. Had he stayed in Pittsburgh and avoided the negative spotlight, many believe he would have been the best wide receiver to ever play the game. Samuel's sentiment shared on social media in regards to Brown, the Steelers and Tomlin is eye opening to say the least. It will be interesting to monitor how Brown will respond. He's not shy to get into social media battles and will likely have a rebuttal soon.