It was sure great seeing No. 84 back on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. Oh wait, is this a dream? Was the whole Antonio Brown trade a dream? Of course not. Brown is off the Oakland but the Steelers aren’t going to let that No. 84 jersey sitting around doing nothing.
NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala shared a little video of rookie tight end Milan Richard at the team’s rookie minicamp wearing Brown’s old number in drills.
Technically speaking, the Steelers have only retired two numbers in franchise history. No. 70 worn by Ernie Stautner and No. 75 worn by Joe Greene. Nevertheless, there are multiple jersey numbers which are unofficially off limits like No. 36 formerly worn by Jerome Bettis and No. 47 formerly worn by Mel Blount.
But despite being perhaps the best wide receiver in franchise history, it’s highly unlikely the Steelers ever give the same honor to Brown. The ugly breakup between Brown and the Steelers, which was created by Brown isn’t going to be a moment in history the franchise will want to reward despite what Brown did on the field.
