All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown returns home
Halftime came with the Central Michigan basketball team facing a 47-40 deficit Saturday to Ball State. It was the second sold out crowd at McGuirk Arena this season, the first being the Western Michigan game on Feb. 3.
When looking at the fans in attendance, a sporadic amount of Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys with the number 84 were donned, all of whom were standing up, searching for a former CMU standout that once made Mount Pleasant his home.
When Marcus Keene and company went into the locker room, the video board had a camera pointed right at courtside, prompting a standing ovation from the 5,412 people at the arena.
The individual everyone wanted to see was Antonio Brown, the wide receiver for the Steelers, who came back to CMU for the first time since 2011.
He talked with the CMU football team before getting a chance to watch the nation's leading scorer.
Brown, after meeting with coach John Bonamego for the first time, said he knows what it takes to bring the program to the next level.
"(Bonamego) knows how to recruit and I think he’ll bring a championship spirit that we need to see from the Chippewas," Brown said.
The message that Brown shared to the Chippewas in a team meeting, after landing in Mount Pleasant Friday night, was always believing and not worrying about the people who are doubtful.
"Be there for the guys next to them and have a plan and a vision," Brown said. "Know why you’re here in your spare time and regardless of what you want to become or what you’re working towards, stay focused and prioritized and make something of yourself even if you’re not a football player."
After following Butch Jones to Central Michigan back in 2006 from the state of North Carolina, Brown was drafted by the Steelers in 2010 in the sixth round.
He was a two-time All-American and two-time All-Mac recipient in 2008-09.
Brown said it felt great to have the celebrity status since arriving, but hasn't taken it for granted, wanting to share the gratitude that he's received from the fans.
"I just want to show that love back and let the people around here know that you can make it and do the things you desire to do if you work at it and be consistent," Brown said.
Brown, arguably the most prolific player in Central Michigan history, caught 305 receptions for 3,199 yards and 22 touchdowns from 2007-09. He was drafted with the 195th pick.
He earned the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year award back in 2007, before being named to the First-Team NFL All-Pro list three separate times.
Brown didn't have a set date as to when he plans on coming back to CMU again, but is already looking forward to being at the school where his career began.
"I’m excited to come back more and find out how I can help the community and affect those around here in a positive way," Brown said.