Antonio and Eddie Brown are joining the Albany Empire ownership group. The former NFL wide receiver, the former Albany Firebirds star and the team made it official at a press conference Thursday morning.

The deal came together relatively quick after Antonio Brown and his father expressed interest. Eddie Brown will serve as the new vice president of football operations for the Empire, who are coming off back-to-back National Arena League championships.

Eddie Brown dominated in the Arena Football League in the 1990s with the Firebirds, when Antonio Brown was a kid growing up in the Capital Region.

Antonio Brown went on to have a successful NFL career, with more than 900 receptions, 12,000 yards and 83 touchdowns. He last played with the Tampa Bay Bucs in January 2022, when he walked off the field before the end of the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

It's among several controversies Antonio Brown has faced during his career, including getting suspended for eight games in 2020 for multiple violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy.

In response to that, Antonio Brown said on Thursday that actions are better than words.

"I just want to be here, you know, hands on, help the players be successful on and off the field, just be an advocate here in the community," said Antonio Brown.

While Antonio Brown said he's done everything he can in his NFL career, he still doesn't consider himself retired.

Training camp for the Empire starts later this month. Albany will start the season at home April 16 against the Orlando Predators.