Before he went off the rails, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was on pace to match Jerry Rice’s numbers. That’s how good he was. Brown’s run of 100+ receptions and 1,000+ receiving yards in six straight years (2013-2018) is unprecedented in NFL history.

Brown won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, was selected to seven pro bowls and named first-team All-Pro four times, and is on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Overall, Brown recorded 928 receptions for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns in 146 career games. His 83 touchdown receptions are tied with Calvin Johnson, a first-ballot choice.

Brown was a generational talent. There’s no doubt about it. He could’ve been at least a top 3 wide receiver of all-time if he played longer.

Ian Valentino of the 33rd Team tabbed Brown as the eighth-best wide receiver in NFL history. Calvin Johnson, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Jerry Rice were the top 4 in Valentino’s rankings.

“The bulk of Brown’s impressive stats were accumulated from 2013 to 2018, though he had already made a Pro Bowl appearance in his sophomore year in 2011. During this six-year period, he consistently caught at least 101 passes each season, never dipping below 1,284 yards or eight touchdowns,” Valentino wrote.

“He topped the league in receptions and yards twice and in touchdowns once. His most prolific season in 2015 saw him reel in 136 catches for a staggering 1,834 yards.

“He’s 25th in yards, 21st in receptions, 26th in touchdowns, and third in yards per game. But self-inflicted mistakes cut his career short, producing only 91 receptions for 1,084 yards and nine touchdowns after turning 31. His lack of longevity in his later years hurt his argument for landing higher, but his peak is impossible to erase.”

Brown has Hall of Fame accolades, but he’ll get some push back from voters due to his off-the-field issues. Brown definitely won’t be first-ballot, but he belongs in the HOF. His on-field production can’t be denied.

Just like Calvin Johnson, Brown dominated the game in the 2010s. I can’t see how he doesn’t eventually get a Gold Jacket.

Former Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said during a recent appearance on the All Things Covered podcast that Brown is without a doubt a Hall of Famer. He thinks it’s not even debatable.

“I don’t think that can even be debated,” Colbert told former Steelers cornerbacks Bryant McFadden and Patrick Peterson.