While Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown distances himself from his current team, it seems like he is becoming a fan of another which sits across the country — the San Francisco 49ers.
According to a report by Jordan Heck of the Sporting News, Brown stopped following the Steelers on Instagram and started following the 49ers, along with several of their players, making it evident that there is a rift between him and his current team.
It also adds fuel to the media and fan speculation that started with an exchange between Brown and 49ers tight end George Kittle on New Year's Eve.
Brown is following 3,843 accounts on Twitter. As of this post, three of the last four belong to 49ers safety Adrian Colbert, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and Kittle.
There was a report on Tuesday that Brown purchased a custom ring in the shape of a goat and worth $20,000, likely referencing himself as the "greatest of all time." It is reportedly made up of 1,000 diamonds and is 6.5 carats.
As any 49ers fan will tell you, the greatest of all time is Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, who joined 95.7 The Game on Wednesday morning and discussed Brown's new accessory.
"Ain't nothing wrong with having confidence," Rice said on the "Joe, Lo, and Dibs" show. "There's a lot of G.O.A.T.s out there right now, and it's great for the fans to say, 'Hey, you're the greatest of all time.'
"I think Antonio Brown, he went and got this ring just to say, 'Hey look, here I am. I've got confidence in myself, and if you're going to put that uniform on me or you're going to put me on that football field, I am the greatest of all time.'
"I don't have a problem with that, but I'm sure eventually, he's probably going to send that to me in the mail."
Rice also believes Brown is a team player and would be an asset to the 49ers, should he end up on the trading block.
Brown may have responded to Rice's comments and claim to the throne on Wednesday via a story on Instagram, and likely done a little damage control in the hearts of the Niner Faithful. The post featured a Fathead wall decal of Rice with an actual goat in the foreground.
It was a good move by Brown if he indeed hopes to one day land in Santa Clara.
You can view the Instagram Story below.
Steelers WR @AB84 shared the following on Instagram. He has also followed the #49ers. pic.twitter.com/Ic7UQiBC8D
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) January 2, 2019
