Antonio Brown Apologizes for Outburst on Steelers Sideline vs. Ravens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown apologized Friday for his sideline outburst in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens where he threw a Gatorade bucket.

Brown told reporters he doesn't want to take away from the team's accomplishments with his actions: "You've got to do a better job of controlling emotions. I don't want to wake up and turn on the TV and you guys are talking about me throwing a tantrum. We should be talking about Ben [Roethlisberger] and a lot of guys who had a great game, the Steelers winning a big game."

Brown's outpouring of emotion happened Sunday after Roethlisberger appeared to miss him while he was wide open on a play that could have potentially resulted in a touchdown.

In addition to throwing the Gatorade bucket, Brown angrily dismissed offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who was trying to calm him down.

Brown made sure Friday to express that he has respect for both Roethlisberger and Haley despite his actions in the heat of the moment.

Following Pittsburgh's 26-9 win, Roethlisberger said on 93.7 The Fan (h/t Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com) that Brown didn't need to act out in the manner he did:

"AB is the best receiver in the world, maybe one of the best to ever play the game. I'd like to think him and I together may be one of the best quarterback-wide receiver combos to ever play the game. I don't know he needs to react that way. He's superhuman on the football field, and when that happens, it almost brings him back to being a mere mortal, if you will. Because it gets in his head and it just messes with all of us a little bit. ... I'm not trying to call AB out. I just think this is causing a distraction that none of us really need."

On Friday, Brown expressed gratitude for the way Roethlisberger addressed the situation:

"It's not about me. It's about the Steelers. We all make mistakes as players. Sometimes I might miss a read. I don't see Ben throwing me under the bus if I drop the ball or if I run the wrong route or didn't get my depth. I don't see him kicking the cooler. It's no excuse for my behavior. I'm glad [Roethlisberger] did what he did. He called me out. As a general of our team, he has every right to call anything out. ... I'm just grateful we have a great leader who's forgiving and accommodating and willing to talk to me."

The 29-year-old Brown had just four catches for 34 yards against Baltimore, but he is off to another strong start in 2017.

The five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro First Team selection has 30 receptions for 388 yards and one touchdown for the 3-1 Steelers.

Brown has topped 100 receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in each of the past four seasons, and he has scored double-digit receiving touchdowns in three consecutive campaigns as well.