Steelers News: In strange course of events, Antonio Brown, not Le’Veon Bell, is the most hated ex-Steeler

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season is over, but if you think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over — think again. For the drama-filled Steelers, things are just heating up, and this is where the daily links article comes in. You might have missed some key news, and we fill you in and give you the latest, and sometimes greatest, news surrounding the Steelers.

Today in the Black-and-gold links article we take a look at how with Antonio Brown’s most recent antics, it has made fans long for the good ol’ days of Le’Veon Bell holding out and producing lousy rap songs.

Let’s get to the news:

• Remember when Le’Veon Bell was Public Enemy No. 1 among Pittsburgh Steelers fans? Not anymore...AB has been atop that pedestal for quite some time now.

Le’Veon Bell shares positive text from Steelers’ James Conner

By: Frank Carnevale, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Le’Veon Bell, the New York Jets new running back, who skipped the entire season last year rather than sign the franchise tag and take the field for the Steelers, shared a private text message from current Steelers running back James Conner.

Conner apparently sent a message to Bell saying hey and acknowledging that Bell hasn’t talked bad about his former teammates and that he appreciated that.

Here’s Conner’s message according to the screenshot:

“What’s up bro. Just reaching out, social media got dudes acting crazy and it got me thinkin you was always a real one, never talked bad about nobody and was always solid. I appreciate that! Congrats on the new deal you weathered the storm and came out stronger. Like you always say all POSITIVE VIBES! Do ya thing brodi.”

Bell post an image of that message to Twitter with the caption, “I usually don’t post private conversations…but this txt just hit me so differently…I love youu to death bro @JamesConner_ #AllPositiveVibes”

To read the full article, click HERE

• The demise of Antonio Brown with the Steelers, and the subsequent issues with JuJu Smith-Schuster had many wondering what happened. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN chimes in...

Antonio Brown’s resentment grew with each JuJu Smith-Schuster reception

By: Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

...Brown was nearing his 31st birthday without guaranteed money while Smith-Schuster was dancing his way into Brown’s own endorsement deals.

”JuJu was in AB’s Pizza Hut commercials -- you don’t think that got to [Brown]?” one team source said. “JuJu was coming up and that became a problem for AB.”

Smith-Schuster winning the Steelers’ most valuable player award, as voted on by teammates, seemed to make matters worse. Many inside and outside the building believed Brown harbored resentment over that voting, though it was never really talked out. Roethlisberger’s support of Smith-Schuster throughout the season, even failing to call Brown his No. 1 receiver after Week 12, loomed large.

What’s curious to teammates now is many felt they had a great relationship with Brown. Despite his issues with punctuality and star treatment and sideline flare-ups, they respected his jovial encounters with even the lowest locker-room rungs and the way he worked.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Remember that direct message from JuJu Brown posted on social media? Yeah...he deleted it.

Antonio Brown deletes his latest JuJu Smith-Schuster attack

By: Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

Raiders receiver Antonio Brown apparently has some self-awareness, after all.

Brown has deleted a Monday social-media post based on a direct message from a then-18-year-old JuJu Smith-Schuster seeking advice from the then-Steelers receiver. The move quite possibly was influenced by the avalanche of criticism that Brown endured after posting the screen shot.

It doesn’t change the fact that Brown’s gesture exposed to the world the inner #mirrormirror turmoil fueling his envy of the much younger and ascending player. Brown’s inability to control his impulses gave everyone a glimpse of the jealousy that fueled his attack on his former teammate.

To read the full article, click HERE

• AFC North Links

Ozzie Newsome might not be the GM anymore, but he is still there helping
Andy Dalton is pumped to get back to work
OBJ was sad when he was traded to the Browns

• VIDEO

Ryan Clark says Antonio Brown ‘Isn’t a good human being’
How Brown posting private message from Smith-Schuster backfired

• Social Media Madness