Antonio Brown vows to be more aggressive in wake of Vontaze Burfict hit

ByJeremy Fowler ESPN logo
Wednesday, August 3, 2016

LATROBE, Pa. -- As if Antonio Brown wasn't fast enough, he's feeling like a racecar driver after the Vontaze Burfict hit during last season's playoffs.

Brown told ESPN's First Take he plans to be more aggressive after Burfict's vicious head shot in the final seconds of the Steeler's AFC wild-card win in Cincinnati. Brown missed the divisional round loss to Denver with a concussion.

"You can't have no fear," Brown said. "It's like a NASCAR driver who's been in an accident. You can't get into the car with fearful thoughts. You have to have faith. You just have to go out there and be more aggressive."

Brown adds his "swag got a little better" after the hit from Burfict, who will serve a three-game suspension for several egregious plays during his career. Burfict's 15-yard penalty on the play inched the Steelers closer to field- goal range, and they won 18-16 with a 35-yard kick by Chris Boswell.

"Play this game long enough, you're going to get hit," Brown said. "That just comes as part of playing football and being in the game. Obviously that hit actually won us the game. It's called taking one for the team."

Brown, who caught 136 passes for 1,834 yards last season, has made it clear he would like a new contract. He has two years remaining on a six-year, $43-million deal signed in 2012.

Brown told the media Sunday that an NFL team should "take care of" a player if he outperforms his contract. He's not holding out because of his respect for the Rooney family, which owns the team, and his desire to stay in football shape.

"It's my job to be ready to go when the season stats," Brown said. "It's up to my agent to deal with the other things. I know things will fall into place."

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