An image that ran along with the bombshell Sports Illustrated piece detailing numerous allegations against Antonio Brown appeared to show the star wide receiver with darker skin than he actually has, but the publication insists that had nothing to do with race.
On Thursday, Robert Littal of Black Sports Online shared two images of Brown on Twitter. One was the original, and the other was the image used in Robert Klemko’s feature about Brown that was published on Monday. The darker image is the one SI used, and Littal questioned the motive behind that.
I’m just curious @SInow who made the editorial decision to darken Antonio Brown’s skin for your feature article. Regardless of his innocence or guilt that’s something you shouldn’t be doing. pic.twitter.com/4AwPxnPrfZ
— Robert Littal (@BSO) September 19, 2019
Media making a black man appear darker than he is, is doubly bad because one it assumes that darker black men are more prone to criminal behavior (which isn't true) and secondly that whoever made the decision believes in that stereotype. SI should explain their reasoning.
— Robert Littal (@BSO) September 19, 2019
Klemko later responded that SI uses the same photo filter for all stories dealing with “deep dives detailing crimes or accusations.”
That is fine. It is a bad look. One I would think you would have pushed back against considering the history of it. Intent or not, the fact it was pointing out, should be a red flag on how it is perceived. Your story didn't need anything extra to make it seem more dramatic.
— Robert Littal (@BSO) September 19, 2019
The fact that Brown’s jersey color is also different in the SI image indicates the intent was not to darken the color of his skin. However, Littal and others still believe the photo filter — not matter when or how it is used — has a problematic underlying message.
Klemko spoke with two dozen people about the numerous issues Brown has had both in his personal and professional life. The piece featured a new sexual misconduct allegation against the seven-time Pro Bowler in addition to accounts from business partners and people Brown has hired in the past who say they never got paid. Klemko also says another person, who wasn’t included in the story, is considering filing criminal charges against Brown.
