Antonio Brown was robbed of NFL All-Quarter Century Team

The former Steelers pass-catcher deserved to make the list

This past week, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder published an all-quarter-century team, a full 53-man roster covering the years 2000 through 2025.

Two Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famers made the list – Alan Faneca, who was selected as the starting left guard, and Troy Polamalu, the team’s starting safety.

However, there was a notable omission. Wide receiver Antonio Brown did not make the team. He ranked behind six other pass-catchers and was named to the “practice squad.”

Those six receivers include Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison, and Justin Jefferson.

There’s no denying most of these players should be ahead of Brown on the roster, but I can’t wrap my head around the Julio Jones affection here. Brown has more career receptions and touchdowns than Jones, as well as multiple scores as a return man.

There are likely two factors at play here. The first being that Ben Roethlisberger was on the distribution side for Brown, which unfairly works against him.

Here’s more from Walder on Jones’ quarterback situation:

“With all due respect to Matt Ryan, Jones did not have a Hall of Fame quarterback throwing to him the way other receivers on this list did. Though he never won a ring, Jones’ miraculous sideline grab in Super Bowl LI helped the Falcons get awfully close to one.”

I don’t think he’s giving Ryan enough credit. He played 15 seasons, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and won MVP along with Offensive Player of the Year in 2016. He won’t be in the Hall of Fame, but he’s certainly on the fringe – let’s not act like Julio Jones played with Desmond Ridder.

The second likely factor is Brown’s off-the-field transgressions, which have been well-documented. It’s been a chaotic couple of years for Brown, and he’s currently facing criminal charges for attempted murder.

Nobody is excusing his actions, but those transgressions should not factor into this list – or else he wouldn’t have even been mentioned at all, right?

Marvin Harrison wasn’t exactly a model citizen, as he faced criminal investigations after being implicated in a fatal shooting in 2008, and he’s on the list, although he was never convicted of a crime.

I want to note that this isn’t a “bash Julio Jones,” piece. The eye-test tells us that Jones is one of the most talented players of all time and certainly was more of a specimen than Brown throughout his 13 seasons.

But to be honest, I think this is a larger margin than splitting hairs.

For my money, Brown was the better of the two – and this is a list that should be based on production and performance, not just physical makeup.

What are your thoughts on Jones being ranked ahead of Brown? Let us know in the comments section!