JuJu Smith-Schuster is nothing like Antonio Brown. For years, some fans and people in the media have been looking for warning signs that JuJu was on a similar, destructive path that AB went on during his time in Pittsburgh.
The two couldn't be further apart. We know of all of Antonio Browns proven and alleged issues and what has Smith-Schuster truly done that has gotten him in the least bit of trouble? He danced on some logos.
Smith-Schuster does TikTok dances and jumps around on the sidelines and says things are "lit" …in short he's having fun.
How does that hurt is ability during a game? Short answer, it doesn't.
Smith-Schuster may not put up anywhere near the career numbers that Brown will, but that doesn't mean he isn't a damn good wide receiver in the NFL.
He fights for yards and puts his body on the line doing it, similar to the way Hines Ward played.
Smith-Schuster stated publicly before that season that he wanted to be more of a down-field, big chunk receiver going into 2021, but once again has been used mainly in the slot on short yardage plays.
Slot receivers usually get hit instantly and it isn't by a corner or safety, it's a big linebacker doing the damage.
But Smith-Schuster hasn't complained about his place on the team, at least publically. He does what his team needs him to do, even while he was playing for a big contract next year (one that is now in doubt after his season-ending shoulder surgery.)
"We aren't going to replace him at all," said Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada. "What he brings to our team. The intangibles is his. It's a huge loss to us, non-football-wise. Everything he does. Everything he is. How hard he plays."
"My feelings for JuJu are so off the charts and they have been," added Canada. "You need somebody to block. He will do it. Need somebody to do something else. He says he will do it. It would be unfair to compare to somebody else because it would sound like a negative towards somebody else."
The Steelers shared a video of the wide receiver speaking at his annual JuJu Foundation ("a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of youth initiatives and lifting the spirits of those in need.") luau earlier this week and you can see the genuine emotion coming out of JuJu with his arm in a sling.
He started tearing up talking about Sunday after the injury saying, "Last night was the hardest night for me, because football has done so much for me in my life, more than you guys will ever know."
Smith-Schuster also recalled the call he got from his doctor about his season being over and how much that hurt him, "I sat there and I cried, I cried all night, I cried because I love this game so much, more than anyone will ever know."
"I know the whole social media thing and TikTok and my dancing and all that, I do it because it's my personality and I love it, don't get me wrong, but football will always come first, without football I wouldn't be who I am today," added Smith-Schuster.
Not all of Smith-Schuster's charity is made public as well. Just last week a reporter noticed that he paid for a woman's groceries after she forgot her credit card. He wasn't looking for attention, just helping someone in need out.
Last year, he got a homeless man some food in Market Square and that was captured by someone with a phone.
You can say those kind of interactions are stunts, if you're the cynical type, how many other simple random acts of kindness from JuJu are not captured? It's hard to know, but I'm sure the stories are out there.
