HOLLYWOOD SHUTS DOWN RETIREMENT RUMOURS
Ravens wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has shut down rumors on social media that he will be retiring after only 3 years in the league. The rumors surfaced Monday after Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson posted a video on his Instagram story doing offseason training with Ravens wideouts Rashod Bateman and James Proche. Ravens no.1 wide receiver, Brown was a notable absence. News soon came out that the 24-year-old would opt out of playing in the NFL before the coming season for a full time career in gaming.
Marquise took to Twitter to stomp out the fire before it blazed any further, writing, “Man what did I log back into? Loggin’ back off. If I retire I’m going to become a professional troll.”
Marquise Brown’s gaming prowess is the stuff of legend as he’s widely considered one of the best NFL players at both Madden and Fortnite. Brown won the third edition of the Streamer Bowl last week ahead of Super Bowl LVI, as part of gaming group “Los Capos”, which consisted of himself and gamers Pgod and PaMstou. The Streamer Bowl, a popular gaming event organized by Twitch Rivals and the NFLPA in conjunction with Fortnite, is an event that sees Twitch streamers and NFL stars compete in a Fortnite tournament for a $1 million prize pool for charity.
The former Oklahoma Sooner was drafted 25th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 . He has since established himself as the team’s no.1 wide receiver, and has built impeccable chemistry with 2019 MVP, Lamar Jackson. Brown’s career in the NFL has been plagued by injury including tearing his hamstring before the season and a stubborn ankle injury that plagued him throughout the 2021 season. However, he’s coming off of his best season as a pro, recording over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time, to go along with 91 receptions, also a career high. Brown missed only one of the 17 games this season, a trip to Chicago in week 11.
After silencing rumors about his early exit from the NFL, fans can look forward to what Marquise and the Ravens do in the offseason as they try to bounce back from a horrific year on the injury front that saw them with an 8-9 record. Unlikely to draft another wideout in the upcoming 2022 draft after acquiring Rashod Bateman, Tylan Wallace, and Sammy Watkins through the draft and trades last year, the Ravens will look to improve on their inconsistent offense in 2022.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero