TAMPA, FL – The 2021 Super Bowl will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL on February 7, 2021 between the Kansas City Chiefs and The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s always a long road to the Super Bowl, but this year, a couple of interesting players have a resurgence after some interesting curves in their careers.
Number one: Levion Bell
Bell was an All-Pro rusher in 2014 and again in 2017 while playing under a franchise tag. After three seasons gaining 1,800 yards from scrimmage, Bell wanted to secure is future.
But as running backs became more and more expendable in football systems, teams were reluctant to sign them to long term deals.
Bell demanded a long term deal with the Steelers and the Steelers declined. He sat out a full season of football to make sure he made it to free agency. The New York Jets signed for four years and $52.5 million.
Bell was not used much in the Jets system and he lasted less than two seasons and was released by New York after week 5,
The Chiefs then signed him as support for first-round rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
He has been used sparingly with the Chiefs, but ironically, has made it to the Super Bowl.
Number two: Antonio Brown
Antonio brown was once considered the best wide receiver in the NFL. With the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brown caught 136 passes for 183 yards for 10 touchdowns. In his final year with the Steelers, Brown caught 104 passes for 168 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his rookie season, Brown and the Steelers lost in the Super Bowl to the Green Bay Packers.
Brown’s me-first attitude caused problems in the Steelers locker room, including going live on social media right after Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin ordered players to not to do so.
His attitude led to Brown being traded to the Oakland Raiders, where coach John Gruden saw his amazing talent thought he could work with him. Gruden released Brown after 1 week of training camp because of his antics.
The New England Patriots picked him up for week two of the 2019 season, but released before his former trainer accused him of rape in a civil lawsuit.
Brown ran into more legal trouble, including more allegations of sexual misconduct and an arrest on battery and burglary charges involving the driver of a moving truck.
Brown was suspended for eight games because of the rape allegations.
While with New England, Brown developed a relationship with QB Tom Brady, and it paid off, when he became eligible for play he signed with the Buccaneers.
Both Brown and Bell were injured and not available for the AFC and NFC championships but have been listed as available to play in the big game.
