Antonio Brown: 'My Swag Is Too Up'

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What do you listen to in those gold headphones pregame?

I usually have some mood music. I get my mind right to relax my breathing. Before the Patriots on opening night, I had Ace Hood's "I Know How It Feel" and that "blame it on the night" song by Calvin Harris. I had some Mistah F.A.B. Different music that gets me going.

What's up with the hairstyles? How much work or care do you put into your image?

I just like to bring energy. I always try to create a moment. Memories are important to me, and I like my look to go with the mood or the moment. My girlfriend actually did my hair the first time I made it like a mohawk. The Nino Brown-inspired haircut has been rolling for a few years.

How do you digest a game you just played?

The day after, I'll usually come in and run, watch tape, try to mentally dissect situations. How could I have been better on plays I didn't make? What could I have done better in the red zone?

What's one thing about your relationship with Ben Roethlisberger that most don't know?

We have a great relationship. We've been building it for six years, and every year he's gained more trust in me. Mentally, we have that connection where he knows where I'm going to be. And I have a great situational awareness of where he's going to place the ball. Usually we talk about what he likes and what I'm seeing. How are they covering me? Are they dedicating two guys to me? How did I look in certain situations or a different coverage he may not have looked for me on? He'll ask me, "OK, what can we get on them?" Off the field, he's always pushing the marriage card on me, wondering when my date is coming. We have a great relationship. He makes jokes about my kids. My girlfriend and his wife are pretty cool. On marriage, I tell him, "Not too fast, I've got to grow into it."

With Roethlisberger hurt, can you create similar on-field chemistry with Michael Vick on the fly?

I don't think you can re-create that. I don't think you can. That's been a work in progress for a lot of years. What we can do is get better, grow, try to be the best we can be. Other guys have to step up to the challenge and take it as a challenge.

What do you think Vick brings to the offense?

He's got a lot of skill sets. He wings it. My job is to catch the ball no matter how they throw it -- hard, soft, medium. You've got to be able to catch it.

You've said you're the best receiver in the game. Why do you feel you can make that claim?

The fundamentals, the details, the mental preparation that goes into my game, knowing I'm coming into the stadium and they are dedicating two guys to stop me. I think I just work the hardest. I'm really disciplined. I take care of myself. I'm well-organized. I do the little things right -- getting separation, getting in the right position.

Your streak of games with at least five catches and 50 yards is up to 35. How do you keep it going?

Not worrying about it helps. Playing the game and winning my matchups, winning my routes, just letting it all unfold. It's definitely not on my mind.

At 5-10 in a league filled with monster receivers over 6 feet, how do you overcome your size?

If you're not a first-round pick or you're not 6-2, they always say you can't be the best. But the only time there's a weight class is before the draft. This is the NFL. It's all about what you do. I can run past guys and get done what I need to. I can do everything the big guy can do. You don't see a 6-5 Ferrari. It's low to the ground.

Has the state of the receiver position changed?

It's changed dramatically. Back in the day, it was always the bigger guys -- Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Larry Fitzgerald. It was a game of bigger guys. The game has transformed with different routes, different coverages. Jerry Rice was playing against man coverage, that's all he got. Now defenses are blitzing and dedicating two corners to the best guy.

Why do the bigger guys still get the benefit of the doubt in the debate over who's the best receiver?

I think it's just cooler for fans to watch a bigger guy. If a guy comes into the stadium 6-2, it's, "Oh yeah, this guy is amazing." When you look up NFL history, the bigger guys have had success. There's kind of never been a guy of my size who's able to do what I'm doing -- maybe Marvin Harrison. But I don't really care. I think I'm judged by my performance and how the Steelers do.

Best corner you've ever faced?

All of them. Every guy is the best. So it's my job to expose things they need to get better at.

How do you present yourself off the field?

I want to be known as a guy who, regardless of circumstance, always gave 100 percent, always went the hardest and the smartest. Pray up, inspiration to God, put in what I get out. I've got Nike commercials, fantasy NFL commercials, I'm in the show Ballers. I'm in a Sunday Night Football commercial -- a touchdown celebration with Carrie Underwood. I was in LA for the ESPYS, nominated for the best player in the league.

What's your weakness as a receiver?

I don't think I have any weaknesses. I just think I look too good. My swag is too up. I just think I'm a movie star [laughs]. My style is on fleek. I'm joking around, but I'm having a lot of fun.

What was hardest about getting here from being a sixth-round pick?

You come in the league, you think everyone will get a fair opportunity. The hardest part was waiting my turn, being patient. It's why I stay hungry. Some guys can't endure knowing they are a good player but can't get in the game, so you have to have the mental capacity. I think I was real humble. I knew what I was going through. I knew God would allow my opportunity to come, and I knew I needed to excel. They were always trying to make me a special-teamer, but I eventually caught 100 passes. However I could get on the field was good, but I knew I wanted more.

What keeps you on top?

It starts in the offseason. We got after it. I trained with Randy Moss this offseason. But I usually keep around a group of hungry guys who haven't made it and have a thirst to make a team. You have to continue to prove that you can still do it and still look good. How do you eat? How do you stretch? How do you train? I really enjoy training with college guys who are on break, anybody who possesses the hunger to be better.